Hugh Hewitt, a prominent conservative voice and longtime columnist for The Washington Post, announced his resignation from the newspaper on Friday, confirming the news to Fox News Digital.
A Brief History with The Post
Hewitt had been contributing columns to The Post since 2017, writing hundreds of pieces during his tenure. Known for his nationally syndicated radio show, he maintained a unique position as one of the few pro-Trump writers at the predominantly liberal outlet. In his final article, published on Tuesday, he urged the MAGA movement to evolve should Trump be elected president again.
Reasons for Resignation
Hewitt’s decision to leave followed a heated exchange during an appearance on The Post’s online show, “First Look.” During a discussion about former President Trump’s claims regarding election integrity, Hewitt attempted to clarify the context surrounding a court case in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His remarks, however, were met with resistance from his liberal co-hosts, leading to a confrontation.
When liberal columnist Jonathan Capehart interrupted him, Hewitt asserted, “We are news people, even though we have opinions, and we have to report the whole story if we bring up part of the story.” This prompted Capehart to retort that Hewitt had often made statements not grounded in fact. Frustrated by the interaction, Hewitt stood up and declared, “I won’t come back, Jonathan. I’m done,” before leaving the show.
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Impact of His Departure
Hewitt’s resignation comes amidst a tumultuous time for The Post. Following owner Jeff Bezos’s controversial decision not to endorse a presidential candidate this election cycle, the newspaper faced backlash from staff and readers, resulting in resignations and a significant number of canceled subscriptions. Although Bezos has reportedly pushed for more conservative opinion writers, Hewitt’s departure represents a setback to those efforts.
Despite not being a regular columnist, Hewitt contributed only seven articles to The Post in 2024, a sharp decline from 48 pieces in 2023. The Washington Post has not endorsed a Republican candidate for president since its endorsement process began in 1976.
Conclusion
As The Washington Post navigates a changing landscape in opinion journalism and reader trust, Hugh Hewitt’s exit marks a significant moment for both the newspaper and the broader discourse surrounding political commentary.