USA Today announces it will not endorse in 2024 race following Washington Post, LA Times
- USA Today has decided not to endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential race, following similar decisions by The Washington Post and the LA Times.
- While the national publication will not make presidential endorsements, local editors retain the ability to endorse candidates at local and state levels.
- This move reflects a belief that America's future is shaped locally, amid increasing tensions and divisions in the political landscape.
USA Today has opted not to endorse any presidential candidates for the upcoming 2024 election, joining notable publications such as The Washington Post and the LA Times in this decision announced on October 29, 2024. This reflects an emerging trend among prominent newspapers choosing to refrain from endorsements during this politically charged time. According to USA Today spokesperson Lark-Marie Antón, the newspaper believes that the future of America is decided at a local level, promoting the idea that local editors can endorse candidates in state and local races. This indicates an effort to focus on the issues that matter most to local communities rather than making a national statement. Previously, USA Today endorsed President Biden in 2020 and backed Hillary Clinton in 2016, although it stopped short of formally endorsing against former President Trump. The recent movement away from endorsements has caused waves within the media landscape, leading to significant backlash from liberal readers. As The Washington Post and LA Times also made similar announcements, the implications of these decisions could reshape the relationship between media and its audience, particularly in terms of credibility and trust in covering political affairs.