Amazon founder Jeff Bezos surprised many by expressing enthusiasm for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, signaling a dramatic shift in his stance toward the controversial leader. Speaking during a wide-ranging interview at a New York conference, Bezos, who clashed with Trump during his first presidency, pledged to assist in achieving shared goals, particularly reducing government regulations.
A new perspective on Trump’s leadership
“I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” Bezos said on stage, praising Trump’s renewed focus on cutting back regulations. “He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I’m going to help him.”
The billionaire described the U.S. regulatory environment as overly restrictive and expressed eagerness to contribute to policy reforms that could benefit businesses and innovation.
The Washington Post fallout
Bezos also addressed the fallout from his decision in October to bar The Washington Post, which he owns, from endorsing presidential candidates. The move led to significant backlash, subscription cancellations, and protests within the newsroom, but Bezos stood firm, calling the decision “principled.”
“Presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election,” he argued, reaffirming his stance. “You can’t do the wrong thing because you’re worried about bad PR.”
Bezos acknowledged the challenges now facing the iconic paper but expressed confidence in revitalizing it, stating, “We saved The Washington Post once; this will be the second time.”
Rebuilding relationships
In a notable moment, Bezos indicated his willingness to engage Trump on his long-standing antagonism toward the press, stating, “The press is not the enemy.” Bezos expressed hope that the president-elect’s perspective on the media had evolved over the years.
From rivals to potential collaborators
The apparent thaw in relations between Bezos and Trump comes as the president-elect prepares to appoint Elon Musk, another billionaire tech titan, to spearhead regulatory reforms in his administration. When asked if Musk’s role might create challenges for Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin, a rival to Musk’s SpaceX, Bezos dismissed concerns, expressing confidence in Musk’s professionalism.
A history of tension
Bezos and Trump’s contentious relationship dates back to Trump’s first presidential campaign. Trump frequently criticized Amazon and Bezos, often conflating the company with The Washington Post. He accused the paper of being a biased tool for Bezos and alleged that Amazon had unfairly avoided taxes.
Despite these attacks, Bezos remained steadfast in supporting The Washington Post’s coverage during Trump’s presidency, defending the independence of its reporting, even when it scrutinized his own business interests.
A collaborative future?
The once-hostile relationship between Bezos and Trump appears to be undergoing a transformation as Bezos embraces a more cooperative approach. Whether this newfound alignment will translate into substantive collaboration on regulatory and business policies remains to be seen, but Bezos’ optimism marks a significant departure from the acrimony of years past.
