Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos reaffirmed his decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates, emphasizing that it was the right choice. Speaking at The New York Times Dealbook Summit, Bezos told Andrew Ross Sorkin, “It was the right decision, and I am proud of it.” The event, held at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, saw Bezos as the closing speaker.
Bezos acknowledged that the decision was bound to generate a political firestorm and potentially hurt the business of The Washington Post. However, he stated that given the media’s ongoing trust issues, the move was necessary. “We knew it would have a big impact; these things punch above their weight,” Bezos said. He added that it’s crucial to make the right decisions regardless of potential negative publicity. “You can’t avoid doing the right thing just because of concerns over bad PR,” he explained.
Despite the shift in editorial policy, Bezos made it clear that The Washington Post would continue to cover presidents, including the current one, with vigor. “I am very aware that the Post covers all presidents aggressively, and it will continue to do so,” he said.
Bezos also discussed his ongoing efforts to ensure the future of The Washington Post, noting that he has a plan in place to revitalize the newspaper. “I have a bunch of ideas, and I’m working on them now,” he shared. “We saved The Washington Post once, and this will be the second time. It needs to be put back on solid footing.”
Bezos purchased The Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million, aiming to turn around the newspaper. While the outlet has seen success in recent years, it has still faced challenges keeping up with competitors like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
The decision to cease presidential endorsements was particularly jarring for the paper, as the editorial board had already written an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris. In a follow-up op-ed, Bezos explained that presidential endorsements don’t influence elections but instead create a perception of bias and a lack of independence.
He also acknowledged the potential conflict of interest that his ownership of the newspaper could present, especially given his other business ventures like Amazon and Blue Origin, which often interact with government officials. “I’m a terrible owner for the Post from the perspective of avoiding conflicts of interest,” Bezos said. However, he highlighted that his role as the owner allows him to provide the financial resources The Washington Post needs. “I am the doting parent in that regard.”
Bezos also expressed cautious optimism about a potential second term for Donald Trump, despite the controversy that often surrounds him and The Washington Post‘s coverage. “I’m very optimistic this time around,” he said, pointing to Trump’s focus on reducing regulations. Bezos indicated he would support this agenda if it could contribute to economic growth and addressing issues like the national debt. “I think Trump has a good chance of succeeding in his regulatory agenda,” he added.
When asked about Elon Musk, whose SpaceX competes with Bezos’s Blue Origin, and whether Musk might use his political ties to harm Bezos’s companies, the Amazon founder showed little concern. “I take at face value what has been said, that he won’t use his political influence to benefit his companies or disadvantage his competitors,” Bezos remarked.
In his closing comments, Bezos was optimistic about the future of technology, including artificial intelligence, space exploration, and robotics. “We are in multiple golden ages at once,” he said. “There has never been a more extraordinary moment to be alive. We are so lucky.”
