The Washington Post decided against publishing a controversial print ad campaign from advocacy groups Common Cause and the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, despite initially considering it. The campaign, which aimed to criticize Elon Musk’s influence over federal policy, was set to include a highly visible wraparound ad alongside an interior ad.
The rejected wrap ad, priced at $115,000, depicted Musk overshadowing the White House with a bold red backdrop and the tagline, “Who’s running this country: Donald Trump or Elon Musk?” The ad accused Musk of fostering “chaos and confusion” while remaining unaccountable. It was part of a broader effort to pressure lawmakers into action, with nearly 96,000 petition signatures in support.
The advocacy groups claim Musk has been given extensive authority under Trump’s administration to reshape government operations. While lawsuits have posed some obstacles, Musk’s unchecked power has raised concerns about his influence on federal policies.
Common Cause submitted the ad design on February 11, expecting final approval. However, on February 14, the Post informed them that the wrap could not run. When the groups inquired about modifications, they were simply told it was not possible. Despite this rejection, the Post was willing to run the interior ad, which bore the message, “No one elected Elon Musk to any office.” The advocacy groups, however, opted to withdraw the campaign altogether.
While the Washington Post did not publicly disclose the reasons behind its decision, its advertising policy grants the right to refuse or revise ads at its discretion. The newspaper also declined to confirm whether owner Jeff Bezos played a role in the decision.
Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of Common Cause, criticized the move, arguing that a free press should not operate out of fear or corporate influence. She expressed concern over whether the Post was truly independent under Bezos’ ownership.
The rejection of the ad campaign comes amid growing tensions between media outlets and the White House. President Trump has directed government agencies to cancel subscriptions to certain news organizations, such as Politico and the Associated Press, over coverage he deems unfavorable. The AP was recently barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Had the ad been approved, it would have been distributed to approximately 500 White House subscribers who receive wraparound editions. Given recent backlash against the Post—including mass subscription cancellations over perceived editorial interference—the rejection of this campaign raises further questions about press freedom and media independence in today’s political climate.
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