Latest news with #GlennKessler
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler takes buyout after nearly 3 decades – and paper has no replacement
The man behind The Washington Post's 'Pinocchios' is leaving the paper without anyone to fill his shoes. Glenn Kessler, the editor of The Fact Checker, announced Monday he has taken a buyout, ending his lengthy career at the Post. Advertisement 'After more than 27 years at The Washington Post, including almost 15 as The Fact Checker, I will be leaving on July 31, having taken a buyout,' Kessler wrote on his Facebook page. 'Much as I would have liked to keep scrutinizing politicians in Washington, especially in this era, the financial considerations were impossible to dismiss.' Kessler said he wrote or edited more than 3,000 fact checks as editor and chief writer of The Fact Checker. 'When I started in 2011, there were only a handful of fact-checking organizations around the world, and I have been thrilled to watch the movement expand across the globe. So many of these brave and diligent fact checkers have become good friends,' Kessler wrote. 4 Portrait of Glenn Kessler. Washington Post Advertisement 'My fact checks were routinely the most-read articles on The Post's website. I had my detractors, from both the left and right, but many readers appreciated my efforts to sort out the truth in political rhetoric,' he added. Kessler revealed he attempted to stay on a contract basis long enough for his bosses to find a successor for a smooth transition, to no avail. 'I didn't want The Post to have a gap in fact-checking coverage during this fraught period in U.S. history. But we couldn't work out an agreement,' he wrote. 4 Glenn Kessler, the editor of The Fact Checker, announced Monday he has taken a buyout, ending his lengthy career at the Post. Christopher Sadowski Advertisement Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray appeared onboard with hiring a new fact checker in an exchange with Kessler, according to a source familiar with the matter. Kessler's next chapter will involve him writing books, and he's open to freelance and consulting work. 'In 2018, when the Fact Checker team was compiling a database of more than 30,000 Trump claims, I told the New York Times that 'I have the best job in journalism,'' Kessler wrote. 'I still believe that, and I'm sorry to leave without a replacement lined up. But it's the right time for me. I hope The Post finds someone to carry on this important project.' The Washington Post did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Advertisement 4 Kessler's next chapter will involve him writing books, and he's open to freelance and consulting work. The Washington Post via Getty Images Murray implemented a new round of the paper's Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) in May, hoping that most veteran staffers would be enticed by the exit offer. The program is set to end this week. According to a VSP document previously viewed by Fox News Digital, nine months of base pay would be given to staffers employed for 10-15 years, 12 months of base pay for 15-20-year veterans, 15 months of base pay for 20-25-year veterans and 18 months for anyone who has worked at the Post for more than 25 years. All of them would also receive 12 months of pay credit in their Separate Retirement Account (SRA). Other high-profile writers who've taken the buyouts include columnists Jonathan Capehart, Catherine Rampell, Philip Bump and Joe Davidson. Also fueling the exodus from the editorial pages was the initiative by the Post's billionaire owner Jeff Bezos to promote 'personal liberties and free markets' and vowing not to publish pieces opposing those principles. 4 Other high-profile writers who've taken the buyouts include columnists Jonathan Capehart, Catherine Rampell, Philip Bump and Joe Davidson. Christopher Sadowski Bezos' directive, which was announced in February, led to the immediate resignation of Post opinion editor David Shipley. Others resigned in protest and a mass cancellation of subscriptions by liberal leaders rocked the paper. The paper faced similar backlash last fall when Bezos blocked the paper's endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election. Earlier this month, Washington Post CEO Will Lewis sent a memo to staff issuing an ultimatum for those contemplating adapting to the paper's new direction. Advertisement Also fueling the exodus from the editorial pages was the initiative by the Post's billionaire owner Jeff Bezos to promote 'personal liberties and free markets' and vowing not to publish pieces opposing those principles. Bezos' directive, which was announced in February, led to the immediate resignation of Post opinion editor David Shipley. Others resigned in protest and a mass cancellation of subscriptions by liberal leaders rocked the paper. The paper faced similar backlash last fall when Bezos blocked the paper's endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election. Earlier this month, Washington Post CEO Will Lewis sent a memo to staff issuing an ultimatum for those contemplating adapting to the paper's new direction.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Washington Post's chief fact checker takes buyout
The Washington Post's chief fact checker accepted a buyout and is leaving the newspaper without a replacement. Owner Jeff Bezos and CEO Will Lewis have taken a slew of recent steps to try and help the paper shed its left-wing reputation. Glenn Kessler (pictured), editor and chief writer of The Fact Checker, announced on Monday that he is leaving the Post. 'After more than 27 years at The Washington Post, including almost 15 as The Fact Checker, I will be leaving on July 31, having taken a buyout,' Kessler said on Facebook. 'Much as I would have liked to keep scrutinizing politicians in Washington, especially in this era, the financial considerations were impossible to dismiss.' The fact checker said he tried to help the newspaper find his replacement, but was unsuccessful. 'I didn't want The Post to have a gap in fact-checking coverage during this fraught period in U.S. history. But we couldn't work out an agreement,' Kessler said. 'In 2018, when the Fact Checker team was compiling a database of more than 30,000 Trump claims, I told the New York Times that "I have the best job in journalism." 'I still believe that, and I'm sorry to leave without a replacement lined up. But it's the right time for me. I hope The Post finds someone to carry on this important project.' Kessler joined The Fact Checker in 2011 and is known for his Pinocchio's scale, which rates the truthfulness of politicians. 'When I started in 2011, there were only a handful of fact-checking organizations around the world, and I have been thrilled to watch the movement expand across the globe. So many of these brave and diligent fact checkers have become good friends,' Kessler said. 'My fact checks were routinely the most-read articles on The Post's website. I had my detractors, from both the left and right, but many readers appreciated my efforts to sort out the truth in political rhetoric.' has contacted Kessler and The Washington Post for comment. In May, The Washington Post launched a buyout program targeting veteran staffers, according to a memo obtained by Fox News . 'Today, we are announcing that The Washington Post is offering a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) to news employees with 10 or more years' service at The Post, as well as to all members of the video department and to all members of the copy desk and sports copy desk,' Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said in the memo. '[The buyouts are part of the] ongoing newsroom transformation efforts aimed at reshaping and modernizing the newsroom for the current environment.' The buyout program was reported to conclude at the end of July - just in time with Kessler's departure. The shakeup comes after Bezos broke tradition and blocked The Post's planned endorsement of Kamala Harris before the November election. The move led to more than 250,000 readers immediately canceling their subscriptions, after which Bezos penned an op-ed defending the decision. In it, the world's second-richest man cited growing 'distrust' of media, as Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest, propped up the now president-elect.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Washington Post's controversial fact checker exits paper amid anti-woke reboot...and he isn't being replaced
The Washington Post's chief fact checker accepted a buyout and is leaving the newspaper without a replacement. Owner Jeff Bezos and CEO Will Lewis have taken a slew of recent steps to try and help the paper shed its left-wing reputation. Glenn Kessler, editor and chief writer of The Fact Checker, announced on Monday that he is leaving the Post, reported Fox News. 'After more than 27 years at The Washington Post, including almost 15 as The Fact Checker, I will be leaving on July 31, having taken a buyout,' Kessler said on Facebook. 'Much as I would have liked to keep scrutinizing politicians in Washington, especially in this era, the financial considerations were impossible to dismiss.' The fact checker said he tried to help the newspaper find his replacement, but was unsuccessful. 'I didn't want The Post to have a gap in fact-checking coverage during this fraught period in U.S. history. But we couldn't work out an agreement,' Kessler said. 'In 2018, when the Fact Checker team was compiling a database of more than 30,000 Trump claims, I told the New York Times that "I have the best job in journalism." 'I still believe that, and I'm sorry to leave without a replacement lined up. But it's the right time for me. I hope The Post finds someone to carry on this important project.'
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Longtime Washington Post fact checker takes buyout, says paper has yet to find replacement before exit
The man behind The Washington Post's "Pinocchios" is leaving the paper without anyone to fill his shoes. Glenn Kessler, the editor of The Fact Checker, announced Monday he has taken a buyout, ending his lengthy career at the Post. "After more than 27 years at The Washington Post, including almost 15 as The Fact Checker, I will be leaving on July 31, having taken a buyout," Kessler wrote on his Facebook page. "Much as I would have liked to keep scrutinizing politicians in Washington, especially in this era, the financial considerations were impossible to dismiss." Kessler said he wrote or edited more than 3,000 fact checks as editor and chief writer of The Fact Checker. "When I started in 2011, there were only a handful of fact-checking organizations around the world, and I have been thrilled to watch the movement expand across the globe. So many of these brave and diligent fact checkers have become good friends," Kessler wrote. "My fact checks were routinely the most-read articles on The Post's website. I had my detractors, from both the left and right, but many readers appreciated my efforts to sort out the truth in political rhetoric," he added. Kessler revealed he attempted to stay on a contract basis long enough for his bosses to find a successor for a smooth transition, to no avail. "I didn't want The Post to have a gap in fact-checking coverage during this fraught period in U.S. history. But we couldn't work out an agreement," he wrote. Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray appeared onboard with hiring a new fact checker in an exchange with Kessler, according to a source familiar with the matter. Kessler's next chapter will involve him writing books, and he's open to freelance and consulting work. "In 2018, when the Fact Checker team was compiling a database of more than 30,000 Trump claims, I told the New York Times that 'I have the best job in journalism,'" Kessler wrote. "I still believe that, and I'm sorry to leave without a replacement lined up. But it's the right time for me. I hope The Post finds someone to carry on this important project." The Washington Post did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Murray implemented a new round of the paper's Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) in May, hoping that most veteran staffers would be enticed by the exit offer. The program is set to end this week. According to a VSP document previously viewed by Fox News Digital, nine months of base pay would be given to staffers employed for 10-15 years, 12 months of base pay for 15-20-year veterans, 15 months of base pay for 20-25-year veterans and 18 months for anyone who has worked at the Post for more than 25 years. All of them would also receive 12 months of pay credit in their Separate Retirement Account (SRA). Other high-profile writers who've taken the buyouts include columnists Jonathan Capehart, Catherine Rampell, Philip Bump and Joe Davidson. Also fueling the exodus from the editorial pages was the initiative by the Post's billionaire owner Jeff Bezos to promote "personal liberties and free markets" and vowing not to publish pieces opposing those principles. Bezos' directive, which was announced in February, led to the immediate resignation of Post opinion editor David Shipley. Others resigned in protest and a mass cancellation of subscriptions by liberal leaders rocked the paper. The paper faced similar backlash last fall when Bezos blocked the paper's endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election. Earlier this month, Washington Post CEO Will Lewis sent a memo to staff issuing an ultimatum for those contemplating adapting to the paper's new direction. "The moment demands that we continue to rethink all aspects of our organization and business to maximize our impact," Lewis wrote in the memo obtained by Fox News Digital. "If we want to reconnect with our audience and continue to defend democracy, more changes at The Post will be necessary. And to succeed, we need to be united as a team with a strong belief and passion in where we are heading." "I understand and respect, however, that our chosen path is not for everyone," Lewis continued. "That's exactly why we introduced the voluntary separation program. As we continue in this new direction, I want to ask those who do not feel aligned with the company's plan to reflect on that. The VSP is designed to support you in making this decision, give you the ability to weigh your options thoughtfully and with less concern about financial consequences. And if you think that it's time to move on to a new chapter, the VSP helps you take that next step with more security."
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Trump's Tariffs Are Bad for Business Investment
The Trump administration talks a lot about stoking American business investment, an admirable and important goal. In March on social media, President Trump said that his first two months back in office had seen more private investment 'spoken for, and/or committed to' than the prior four years. The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler noted that the president's claim compared apples (focusing on money spent to develop new factories) with oranges (vague corporate announcements about future investment). This month Mr. Trump justified his threatened raft of increased global tariffs with a similar claim: that erecting trade barriers would drive an investment surge. In his White House Rose Garden 'Liberation Day' speech, the president said, 'Many of the biggest companies in the world, they've committed to build, build, build. 'We're going to build, build, build, sir.'' That overlooks the economics. Tariffs make it harder for companies to invest. And even now that some of the most egregious levies have been paused, historically significant global tariffs remain in place. The back-and-forth on the size and timing of these taxes on trade is damping investment by denying businesses the predictability and stability they need in the business climate. This effect goes beyond the well-documented and serious threats to consumer prices and inflation posed by a trade war. Business investment generates the long-term productivity growth that contributes to American living standards and prosperity. It includes building the factories, producing the energy and building the equipment that enable manufacturing. It also includes research and development, encouraging innovation in our services-heavy economy. We know the conditions under which businesses boost investment. When economic growth accelerates, business leaders grow more confident that their investments will produce returns and they can invest more. When corporate leaders can be reasonably confident that the business climate isn't subject to a drastic policy shift, like revved-up tariffs, they're more likely to invest. And when businesses can get cheaper access to capital from markets and other inputs, they can invest more. Governments should work to improve those conditions, providing for broad economic growth and broad access to capital. Mr. Trump's existing and threatened tariffs undermine these conditions. In the wake of the Liberation Day announcement, economists at JPMorgan expected the tariffs to cause a recession this year, anticipating a drop in consumer and investor demand. Mr. Trump's 90-day pause on the largest tariffs may mitigate this risk, or persistent uncertainty may exacerbate it. Last week, the Budget Lab at Yale University reported that it expects current tariff policy to persistently shrink our annual economic output by $170 billion in today's dollars as our ability to produce goods and services declines. The recent stock market slide, which anyone checking a 401(k) could see, shows it is getting harder for companies to raise capital. Companies generally finance new investments by either raising money in the stock market or borrowing money in debt markets. A volatile and still depressed stock market makes the first option more expensive. Initially, long-term interest rates — which reflect companies' cost of borrowing — fell in the wake of Mr. Trump's Rose Garden announcement, which made the second option a bit cheaper. But this past week those climbed sharply, making the second option more expensive as well. Even after Mr. Trump's backtracking, tariff-induced market chaos leaves conditions more difficult for financing new investments. Economists have already slashed their expectations for private investment. Before the election, professional forecasters surveyed on the Bloomberg terminal expected real private investment to grow 2.9 percent in 2025. By February that forecast fell to 2.4 percent, as the probability of enacting a protectionist trade policy rose. By the end of March that forecast was 1.8 percent — well below the post-pandemic average. Some business leaders are already saying they are investing less in response to tariff volatility, even in the industries that the administration is, in theory, trying to protect. This reflects the heightened uncertainty tariffs have placed on markets. Take the energy sector, which, with higher tariffs, faces higher and more uncertain costs for drilling equipment. In a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, oil and gas executives explicitly blamed tariff-related uncertainty for their hesitation to invest. This could threaten the United States' position as the largest oil producer, cutting against the administration's 'energy dominance' strategy. Coupled with threats to the Biden administration's green tax credits for vehicle batteries and renewable energy production, we risk discouraging production of both traditional and clean energy. Building artificial intelligence infrastructure will grow costlier; Microsoft has slowed data center construction in three U.S. states. Telecommunications analysts expect slower upgrades to cable networks, given the higher cost of tariffed network equipment. Small businesses are especially affected: In February the chief executive of the Black-owned bourbon producer Brough Brothers Spirits Group in Kentucky told The Times that in a tariff climate his company has had to pare back some of its expansion plans, saying, 'It's just very difficult to make any kind of business decisions.' Research and development spending is an important component of private investment in the services-heavy American economy, including for pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly and its competitors. But Eli Lilly also depends on foreign manufacturing: Its chief executive said this month that he expects to reduce R&D investment to manage tariff-driven cost pressures. This is especially bad timing to lose corporate R&D investment, because the administration has also decided to choke off funding for R&D in government and universities. The Trump administration acknowledges the power of business to innovate, increase productivity and help deliver broadly shared prosperity. But going all in on tariffs restrains that power by making it harder for businesses to invest. Business investment growth was an unsung hero of our economy in recent years, but we need more of it, not less.
