The New York Times has faced scrutiny for its representation on the opinion pages, particularly after Ross Douthat, a longtime conservative writer, departed for CBS News. Currently, the Times features 12 columnists. The lineup includes Jamelle Bouie, Maureen Dowd, David French, Thomas Friedman, M. Gessen, Michelle Goldberg, Ezra Klein, Nicholas Kristof, Carlos Lozada, Tressie McMillan Cottom, Lydia Polgreen, and Bret Stephens.
Among these, only David French and Bret Stephens identify as conservatives. Both have been vocal critics of former President Donald Trump and have offered support to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. This leaves a minimal conservative voice on the Times’ opinion pages, which tends to lean liberal with columnists like Ezra Klein, Nicholas Kristof, and Michelle Goldberg.
The New York Times’ opinion board has consistently endorsed Democratic presidential candidates since Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In a notable change, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, formerly of the Times, recruited Douthat for a role on “60 Minutes.” Weiss’s exit followed internal conflict at the Times, exacerbated by the fallout from publishing a controversial op-ed by Tom Cotton in 2020.
The current Times columnists have faced various controversies. For instance, Thomas Friedman expressed conflict over supporting regime change in Iran if perceived as a victory for Trump and Netanyahu. Similarly, Nicholas Kristof faced backlash for reporting unsubstantiated claims about Palestinian prisoners. Michelle Goldberg recently retracted praise for a Maine Senate candidate following assault allegations.
Comparatively, The Washington Post, under Jeff Bezos’ ownership, has also experienced shifts. Bezos halted an endorsement for Kamala Harris, seeking to focus on “personal liberties and free markets.” This led to criticism from liberal quarters.
With the departure of Douthat, the conservative presence on the Times’ opinion pages is further diminished. The New York Times has not engaged with Trump supporters or advocates within its columnist ranks. This shift highlights the publication’s changing editorial dynamics, echoing broader trends in media representation.