Washington Post Faces Backlash Over Rejected Anti-Musk Ad Campaign

The newspaper declined to run a $115,000 ad calling for Elon Musk's removal from his government role, citing internal advertising policies.

The advocacy group Common Cause, alongside the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, planned a $115,000 ad campaign urging President Trump to fire Elon Musk from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Washington Post initially approved the ad, which was to feature a provocative wraparound design, but later declined to run it without providing a clear explanation.
The ad depicted Musk laughing in front of the White House and questioned whether Trump or Musk held more influence over the government, citing concerns about Musk's unelected role and drastic federal budget cuts.
Common Cause refused the Post's compromise to run a smaller interior ad, questioning whether the rejection was influenced by Jeff Bezos' ownership of the paper and his relationship with Trump.
Critics, including journalists and advocacy groups, have accused the Post of compromising its editorial independence, while the newspaper defended its right to reject advertisements under its guidelines.