The Economist Issues 2024 Presidential Endorsement, Diverging From Washington Post, LA Times

The Economist, among the most-read newspapers in the global financial world, broke with a few of its journalistic peers by taking a stance on the 2024 U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

What Happened: The London, England-based newspaper magazine formally endorsed Harris on Thursday. The paper’s endorsement warned against the risks of a second Trump term.

“By making Mr Trump leader of the free world, Americans would be gambling with the economy, the rule of law and international peace,” the statement read. “We cannot quantify the chance that something will go badly wrong: nobody can. But we believe voters who minimize it are deluding themselves.”

The Economist criticized Trump’s tariff plans, immigration policy and tax cuts as “inflationary.” It considers Trump dangerous to the fabric of American life.

“Good presidents unite the country. Mr Trump's political genius is for turning people against each other. After the death of George Floyd, he suggested the army shoot protesters in the leg. America's prosperity depends on the idea that people are treated fairly, regardless of their politics; Mr Trump has threatened to turn the Justice Department on his political enemies.”

The statement likened Harris to a candidate of stability.

“She has ordinary shortcomings, none of them disqualifying. Some of her policies are worse than her opponent's, for example her taste for regulation and for further taxing wealth-creation. Some are merely less bad, on trade and the deficit, say. But some, on climate and abortion, are unambiguously better. It is hard to imagine Ms Harris being a stellar president, though people can surprise you. But you cannot imagine her bringing about a catastrophe.”

The magazine has endorsed Democratic Party candidates since 2000, when it endorsed George W. Bush.

Why it Matters: The endorsement comes after two high-profile American newspapers, the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, declined to endorse a candidate. The Post’s editorial board, which had endorsed candidates for 36 years, drafted an endorsement of Harris; owner Jeff Bezos decided to not publish the editorial.

The Post’s decision, justified by Bezos in an October note, was criticized by employees of the paper. Trump has previously threatened political opponents, including journalists.

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