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Even though the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris remains neck and neck, 

 editorial page has decided not to make a presidential endorsement for the first time in 36 years, the editorial page editor told colleagues at a tense meeting Friday morning.

The meeting was characterized by someone with direct knowledge of discussions on condition of anonymity to speak about internal matters. 

The editorial page editor, David Shipley, told colleagues that the 

's publisher, Will Lewis, would publish a note to readers online early Friday afternoon.

Shipley told colleagues the editorial board was told yesterday by management that there would not be an endorsement. He added that he "owns" this decision. The reason he cited was to create "independent space" where the newspaper does not tell people for whom to vote.

Colleagues were said to be "shocked" and uniformly negative. 

 corporate spokespeople have not responded to multiple messages left by NPR on the subject. 

owner Patrick Soon-Shiong led this week to the resignations of the paper's editorials editor and two editorial board members.

's investigative team has routinely reported on wrongdoing and allegations of illegality by former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and his associates. The editorial board, which is operated apart from the newsroom, has repeatedly declared that Trump's actions in office and his rhetoric as a candidate have rendered him unfit for office. 

It has especially focused on what he did in January 2021 to encourage his supporters to deny the formal certification of President Biden's election. 

 might withhold an endorsement was first reported by Oliver Darcy's newsletter Status. Even the potential lack of an editorial has drawn shock from journalists within the 

, who see it as a major American publication that needs to weigh in on the most pressing issue of the day. 

owner Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of the world's richest people, has major contracts before the federal government in his other business operations.

in January with significant conservative bonafides. Lewis held the same role at Rupert Murdoch's 

; served as the editor of the London-based 

, which is closely allied with the Tory party; and was a consultant to Conservative Boris Johnson when Johnson was prime minister. Colleagues have told NPR that Bezos selected Lewis in part for his ability to get along with powerful conservative political figures, including Murdoch.

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The Washington Post declined to make an endorsement in this year's presidential race. Its editorial board has written that GOP nominee Donald Trump is unfit for office. 

The Washington Post won't endorse in White House race for first time since 1980s

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