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Bezos’ Washington Post scraps ad calling for Trump to ‘fire Elon Musk’ from print editions

The Post’s decision, made without explanation, has raised concerns about censorship and potential pressure to cover news in a specific way

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The Washington Post cut an ad urging Trump to fire Elon Musk, watchdog group Common Cause said. Photo: Common Cause
Business Insider
The Washington Post scrapped an ad calling for President Donald Trump to “fire Elon Musk” that was scheduled to run in some of its Tuesday print editions, according to one of the organisations that ordered the ad.
Advocacy group Common Cause had agreed to pay US$115,000 to the Post to run an ad criticising billionaire Elon Musk wrapped around the newspapers and a similar ad inside the paper, the organisation said.

The ads were part of a bigger campaign by Common Cause called “Fire Elon Musk,” urging people to sign a petition calling for Musk’s removal as the head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The ad, which Common Cause later posted on its website, features Elon Musk laughing behind an image of the White House, and says in large text, “Who’s running this country: Donald Trump or Elon Musk?”

Smaller text below the image states that the Tesla CEO “has created chaos and confusion and put our livelihoods at risk” and notes that “the Constitution only allows for one president at a time.”

The Washington Post has sparked controversy by scrapping an ad calling for President Trump to “fire Elon Musk” from its print editions. Photo: Common Cause
The Washington Post has sparked controversy by scrapping an ad calling for President Trump to “fire Elon Musk” from its print editions. Photo: Common Cause

The group said the Post initially approved the ad, but that the Post informed Common Cause on Friday of its decision to drop the wrap ad from publication without explanation.

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