Former Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin has officially left the publication, publicly criticizing owner Jeff Bezos for what she perceives as a decline in journalistic standards. Rubin expressed her concerns in an interview with CNN, stating her belief that the Post is "failing spectacularly" at a crucial time for a "robust, aggressive free press."

Rubin's departure follows a string of exits from the Washington Post, including notable reporters and editors. Several departures occurred last year after Bezos reportedly blocked a planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.

In her resignation letter, shared on X by New York Times reporter Ben Mullin, Rubin directly targeted Bezos and the paper's management, accusing them of accommodating Donald Trump and thereby jeopardizing American democracy. She argued that corporate and billionaire media owners have betrayed their audience's trust and undermined journalism's core mission.

Rubin's new venture, The Contrarian, co-founded with former Obama White House official Norm Eisen, pointedly uses the tagline "Not owned by anybody," a clear jab at Bezos. Known for her strong pro-Biden stance and sharp criticism of Republicans during her time at the Post, Rubin's departure marks another significant loss for the publication.