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Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has taken action against the Washington Post by filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The complaint alleges that the publication has made illegal corporate contributions to Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
The complaint references a Semafor report that highlights the Washington Post’s increased paid advertising efforts, particularly boosting articles related to the election. The report suggests that the Post has been promoting generally positive stories about Harris.
Trump’s campaign argues that the facts indicate a potential violation of campaign finance laws, stating that the Washington Post may have made, and Harris’s campaign may have accepted, an illegal corporate contribution in the form of coordinated communications.
Gary Lawkowski, Trump’s deputy general counsel, sent a letter on October 31st, asserting that the Washington Post is conducting a “dark money corporate campaign” against Trump while promoting Harris’s candidacy. He called for an immediate investigation into the Post’s expenditures.
BREAKING: Trump campaign files FEC complaint against Harris campaign & Washington Post for "illegal in-kind contributions"
"According to reports, the Post is using its advertising powers to promote pro-Kamala and anti-Trump coverage to voters in the final days of the election." pic.twitter.com/aqhNIXmDac
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 1, 2024
The complaint comes in the wake of the Washington Post’s recent announcement that it would not endorse a presidential candidate, a decision that has drawn criticism from readers and writers alike. Jeff Bezos, the publication’s owner, defended the move, stating that presidential endorsements do not significantly impact election outcomes.
The Trump campaign’s statement emphasizes that while the Post declined to publicly endorse Harris, they have effectively endorsed her through their advertising practices. The campaign accuses the mainstream media of becoming “pro-Kamala propaganda” and calls for accountability.
The complaint argues that the Washington Post should not be protected by the Federal Election Campaign Act’s “press” or “media” exemption for its advertising activities. It contends that by boosting content to influence the election, the Post is acting as a partisan player rather than a press entity.
As of now, the Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
