Democrats don’t know what to do when they’re confronted. All they can do is hurl names and lies.
And now a Washington Post interview went awry after this conservative brought the boom.
Longtime Washington Post columnist Hugh Hewitt resigned from the newspaper on Friday, he confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Hewitt, a conservative voice and nationally syndicated radio host, joined the Post as a contributing columnist in 2017 and has since published hundreds of articles.
“I have in fact quit the Post, but I was only writing a column for them every six weeks or so,” Hewitt told Fox News Digital, adding that he had recently offered to write another pro-Trump column before the upcoming election. He informed editorial page editor David Shipley of his departure Friday morning.
Hewitt’s last column, published on Tuesday, urged the MAGA movement to adapt if Trump were to secure a second term. As a rare pro-Trump contributor at the liberal-leaning outlet, Hewitt’s pieces spanned a broad spectrum of topics.
Hewitt’s exit followed a viral moment earlier that day when he walked off the Washington Post’s online show, First Look, alongside liberal columnists Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus on the “Washington Post Live” platform. The debate turned tense as they discussed Trump’s rhetoric on election integrity.
During the segment, Capehart asked Marcus, “Does it seem like Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for contesting the election by complaining that cheating was taking place in Pennsylvania?” and highlighted Trump’s lawsuit against Bucks County for alleged irregularities.
Marcus remarked that Trump had been “preparing to blame an election loss on cheating for months.”
As she elaborated, Hewitt tried to interject, but Capehart curtly instructed, “Let Ruth finish, Hugh.”
Hewitt responded, “Well, I’ve just got to say, we’re news people, even though it’s the opinion section. It’s got to be reported. Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they violated the law and told people to go home… That lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee, and it was successful.”
He added, “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. So, yes, he’s upset about Bucks County, but he was right, and he won in court.”
After a pause, Capehart retorted, “I don’t appreciate being lectured about reporting when, Hugh, many times, you’ve come here saying lots of things that aren’t based in fact.”
Hewitt then stood up and declared, “I won’t come back, Jonathan. I’m done… This is the most unfair election ad I’ve ever been a part of. You guys are working. That’s fine. I’m done,” before leaving abruptly.
Capehart moved back to Marcus, but as she spoke about her column on democracy and decency, Marcus’s screen froze, leading to technical issues that derailed the broadcast.
The Washington Post did not comment directly on Hewitt’s departure, but a spokesperson stated that “as the newsroom’s live journalism platform, ‘Washington Post Live’ is known for its dynamic conversations and thought-provoking perspectives.”
Hewitt’s resignation comes amid a broader shake-up following a directive by Post owner Jeff Bezos not to endorse a presidential candidate this cycle. This decision, aimed at regaining trust among readers wary of media bias, sparked internal controversy, resignations, and a wave of subscription cancellations.
The Post, which hasn’t endorsed a Republican presidential candidate since 1976, had reportedly planned to endorse Kamala Harris before Bezos intervened. Bezos had also advocated for expanding the number of conservative voices on the opinion pages, making Hewitt’s departure a setback for that goal.
Though not a regular columnist, Hewitt’s output at the Post decreased sharply this year; he wrote only seven pieces in 2024, down from 48 in 2023.
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