Although the presidential race between Trump and Harris remains close, the Washington Post editorial page editor told colleagues in a tense meeting on Friday morning that it had decided not to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time in 36 years. David Shipley, editorial page editor, told colleagues that Will Lewis, publisher of the Washington Post, would post a statement to readers online early Friday afternoon. Shipley told colleagues that the editorial department had been told by management yesterday that there would be no endorsements. He added that he had "taken responsibility" for the decision. The reason he cited was to create an "independent space" where the paper would not tell people who to vote for. Colleagues were reported to be "shocked" and generally negative.