FACT CHECK: Clinton Claims ‘Nearly Every Newspaper’ Endorsed Her Bid For The Presidency
In her new book, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed that “nearly every newspaper” endorsed her 2016 presidential bid.
Verdict: False
Although Clinton received far more newspaper endorsements than any other candidate in the 2016 general election, many of the largest newspapers did not endorse her or any candidate at all.
Fact Check:
While lamenting the media coverage she received during the 2016 election over her use of a private email server, Clinton claimed that she still obtained endorsements from most every newspaper.
“I was glad to be endorsed by nearly every newspaper in the country, including some that hadn’t backed a Democrat in decades, if ever,” said Clinton.
But according to The American Presidency Project, 26 of the top 100 newspapers by circulation did not endorse any candidate in the general election. The Wall Street Journal, for example, has not endorsed a candidate for president since 1928. “If we didn’t endorse Ronald Reagan we aren’t about to revive the practice for Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump,” wrote its editorial board shortly before the election.
Clinton did, however, receive support from the overwhelming majority of the top newspapers that offered endorsements: 57 endorsed her, while only two endorsed then-Republican candidate Donald Trump. Business Insider compiled a list that showed similar results; more than 240 editorial boards endorsed Clinton and only 19 endorsed Trump.
Several of the endorsements for Clinton came from traditionally conservative newspapers that have a long history of not supporting Democratic candidates including The Arizona Republic, The Dallas Morning News and the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“We don’t come to this decision easily,” wrote The Dallas Morning News regarding its decision to endorse Clinton. “This newspaper has not recommended a Democrat for the nation’s highest office since before World War II – if you’re counting, that’s more than 75 years and nearly 20 elections.”
Trump criticized these newspapers during the campaign and warned of a loss in subscribers.
Trump is not the only Republican candidate to receive fewer newspaper endorsements than his Democratic contender. During the 2008 presidential election, then-Democratic Sen. Barack Obama received 65 endorsements from the top 100 newspapers, while Republican Sen. John McCain received 25. In 2012, Obama received 41 endorsements and former Republican Gov. Mitt Romney received 35.
Clinton was not immediately available for comment.
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