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• Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong is facing criticism for altering an op-ed to favor Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Health and Human Services secretary.
• The original op-ed by Dr. Eric Reinhart was highly critical of Kennedy but was edited to present a positive tone.
• This incident follows Soon-Shiong’s controversial decisions, including blocking an endorsement for Kamala Harris and introducing a ‘bias meter’ for ideological balance.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, has been at the center of controversy after he allegedly altered an op-ed piece to favor Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The original piece, written by Dr. Eric Reinhart, was highly critical of Kennedy but was published with a title and content that suggested the opposite.

Core Players

• Patrick Soon-Shiong – Los Angeles Times owner, biotech billionaire
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Nominated for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Dr. Eric Reinhart – Political anthropologist and psychoanalytic clinician, author of the op-ed
• Los Angeles Times – Major U.S. newspaper

Key Numbers

• 2018: Year Soon-Shiong purchased the Los Angeles Times
• $500 million: Amount Soon-Shiong invested to buy the Los Angeles Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune
• 20,000: Number of subscribers who left the Times after Soon-Shiong’s non-endorsement of Kamala Harris
• 6: Number of Pulitzer Prizes won by the Los Angeles Times during Soon-Shiong’s ownership

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Dr. Eric Reinhart’s op-ed, originally titled “RFK Jr’s Wrecking Ball Won’t Fix Public Health,” was altered by the Los Angeles Times editors to read “Trump’s Healthcare Disruption Could Pay Off—If He Pushes Real Reform.” This change sparked intense criticism from Reinhart, who described the editors’ actions as “pretty shitty.”

“A vote for RFK Jr. is a vote for nothing but chaos, the opposite of the essential public-systems building I argue for in the op-ed, and mass death,” Reinhart stated on social media.

Inside Forces

Soon-Shiong’s actions at the Los Angeles Times have been contentious, including blocking the editorial board from endorsing Kamala Harris for president. This decision and others, such as introducing a ‘bias meter’ to alert readers about ideological tilt, have led to staff resignations and significant subscriber losses.

Soon-Shiong has defended his moves, arguing for a more balanced and moderate approach in the newspaper’s coverage.

Power Dynamics

As the owner of the Los Angeles Times, Soon-Shiong holds significant influence over the newspaper’s editorial direction. His decisions reflect a broader strategy to appeal to a wider audience and reduce perceived liberal bias.

However, these moves have alienated some of the newspaper’s traditional readers and staff, leading to internal conflicts and public backlash.

Outside Impact

The controversy surrounding Soon-Shiong’s editorial decisions extends beyond the newspaper itself. It reflects a larger debate about media bias, the role of ownership in shaping editorial content, and the impact on public discourse.

The alteration of Reinhart’s op-ed has also raised questions about the integrity of the editorial process and the potential for manipulation by ownership interests.

Future Forces

The long-term effects of Soon-Shiong’s actions will likely shape the future of the Los Angeles Times. As he plans to introduce more moderate and conservative voices, the newspaper may attract a different audience but risk losing its existing reader base.

The success of this strategy will depend on balancing the need for ideological diversity with the need to maintain editorial integrity and trust with readers.

Data Points

• December 2024: Soon-Shiong blocks endorsement of Kamala Harris, leading to staff resignations and subscriber losses.
• January 2025: Reinhart’s op-ed is altered, sparking widespread criticism.
• 2018-2025: Soon-Shiong’s ownership sees significant changes, including increased staffing and a shift in editorial policy.
• $250 million: Amount set aside by Soon-Shiong for renovations and new projects at the Los Angeles Times.