In the 34 years USA Today has printed newspapers, its editorial board says, it has never taken a position in a US presidential election.
That changed Thursday, with the board issuing a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
The paper, as many others have in recent weeks, called Trump “ill-equipped to be commander in chief,” saying he “traffics in prejudice,” “isn’t leveling with the American people,” and is “a serial liar.”
“Did you ever imagine that a presidential candidate would discuss the size of his genitalia during a nationally televised Republican debate? Neither did we,” the editorial board wrote. “Did you ever imagine a presidential candidate, one who avoided service in the military, would criticize Gold Star parents who lost a son in Iraq? Neither did we,” it added.
But the paper noted that its Trump takedown was not an endorsement for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. The eight-person editorial board was split on giving Clinton its support.
In a separate story explaining why the paper sidestepped its tradition of neutrality, the board wrote that it thought about what USA Today founder Al Neuharth would have done.
In 2012, a year before he died, Neuharth wrote his own editorial saying Mitt Romney should stop appearing with Trump.
"He's a clown who loves doing or saying things, no matter how ridiculous they may be," Neuharth wrote. "No politician or voter - or Yankee fan - should take him seriously."
As it's customary for USA Today editorials to offer an opposing view, Thursday night's tirade against Trump appeared alongside a counterpoint from his running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana.
The editorial board urges voters to "stay true to your convictions," whether that means voting for Clinton, a third-party candidate, or a write-in.
"Whatever you do, however, resist the siren song of a dangerous demagogue," the editorial concludes. "By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump."
Read the editorial board's full anti-endorsement here >>
And its explanation of why this is the first time here >>
