In a bold move that signals the gravity of the upcoming US presidential election, The New York Times editorial board has endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, declaring her ‘the only patriotic choice for president’. The piece, published on Monday, offers a scathing critique of incumbent President Donald Trump, asserting that he is ‘morally and temperamentally unfit’ for the role.
The editorial begins by stating unequivocally that ‘it is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump’. The board highlights the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘This unequivocal, dispiriting truth— Donald Trump is not fit to be president—should be enough for any voter who cares about the health of our country and the stability of our democracy to deny him re-election.’
While acknowledging that Harris ‘may not be the perfect candidate for every voter’, the editorial emphasizes her dedication to public service, care, competence, and unwavering commitment to the Constitution. The board notes that Harris, as vice president, senator, and state attorney general, has offered a shared future for all citizens, emphasizing a path beyond hate and division.
The New York Times’ endorsement of Harris is significant as the newspaper has not endorsed a Republican presidential candidate since 1956. The editorial board expresses concern that Trump’s re-election would ‘degrade the values, defy the norms and dismantle the institutions that have made our country strong’. They warn that unless American voters stand up to Trump, he will have the power to inflict ‘profound and lasting harm to our democracy’.
The board also calls for more specific policy proposals from Harris, suggesting that her current strategy may focus too heavily on avoiding mistakes rather than actively engaging with critical issues. The editorial contrasts Harris’s economic vision, which focuses on using government power to help Americans afford necessities, support small businesses, and make homeownership more accessible, with Trump’s focus on tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs that could further burden the poor and middle class.
In a sharp critique, The New York Times labels the Republican Party as ‘little more than an instrument’ of Trump’s ambitions, asserting that a second Trump term would be ‘much more damaging and divisive than the first’. The editorial concludes with a resounding statement, ‘Kamala Harris is the only choice’, underscoring the importance of prioritizing democracy over divisive politics in the upcoming election.
