Amazon founder Jeff Bezos surprised many on Wednesday with a show of optimism for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. Speaking at The New York Times DealBook Summit, Bezos expressed enthusiasm about potential regulatory cutbacks under Trump’s administration and his willingness to support such efforts.
“I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” Bezos said during the wide-ranging interview. “He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I’m going to help him.”
Bezos on U.S. regulations: “Too many rules”
Bezos, who has long been vocal about issues facing American businesses, doubled down on his critique of the nation’s regulatory framework. “We do have too many regulations in this country,” he asserted, highlighting the burden on innovation and commerce. His remarks suggest that one of the world’s richest men sees an opportunity for a more business-friendly environment in Trump’s second term.
A shift in tone: From rivalry to collaboration?
The comments mark a notable shift in the relationship between Bezos and Trump. During Trump’s first term, the then-president frequently attacked Bezos, Amazon, and The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Accusations ranged from Amazon exploiting the U.S. Postal Service to claims that The Post was a tool for Bezos’ political agenda.
Trump’s criticism extended to government contracts as well. Amazon accused Trump of bias in 2019 after losing a $10 billion Pentagon cloud-computing contract to Microsoft, a case that underscored tensions between the administration and Bezos’ business empire.
Despite this rocky history, Bezos now appears willing to engage constructively, even addressing Trump’s frequent contention that the press is the “enemy of the people.” Bezos sought to counter this narrative during the summit, saying, “The press is not the enemy. You’ve probably grown in the last eight years. He has, too.”
Bezos on The Washington Post’s neutrality
In October, Bezos made headlines when he announced that The Washington Post would not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, citing concerns about perceived media bias. The decision sparked backlash, with thousands canceling subscriptions and journalists within the organization expressing discontent. At the summit, Bezos reiterated his commitment to fostering trust in the media, saying endorsements “do nothing to tip the scales of an election” and instead create unnecessary division.
Bezos vs. Musk: A rivalry tempered by trust?
Bezos also addressed concerns about his competitor Elon Musk, particularly regarding Musk’s influence in regulatory decisions. Musk, owner of SpaceX and Twitter, has been tasked with advising Trump on regulatory reform. Bezos, whose Blue Origin competes directly with SpaceX, expressed confidence that Musk would not use his position to undermine competitors.
“I don’t expect Elon to use his power to hurt business competitors,” Bezos said, downplaying any potential conflicts.
What’s next for Bezos and Trump’s administration?
As Trump prepares for his second term, Bezos’ willingness to collaborate signals a pragmatic approach to navigating the administration’s regulatory agenda. While their relationship has historically been contentious, Bezos’ comments suggest a readiness to set aside past differences in favor of mutual economic goals.
Whether this newfound optimism leads to tangible cooperation remains to be seen, but Bezos’ statements mark a significant departure from his previously adversarial stance toward Trump. For both parties, a constructive relationship could reshape the narrative of one of the most high-profile feuds in modern U.S. business and politics.
