Amazon founder Jeff Bezos expressed optimism about working with President-elect Donald Trump, citing a reduced regulatory environment. This marks a departure from their past interactions, where Trump frequently attacked the billionaire and his companies. In 2019, Amazon lost a multibillion-dollar contract after Trump’s “behind-the-scenes attacks.” However, Bezos said he expects a more positive relationship in this administration.
Bezos previously criticized Trump before the 2016 election, saying it “erodes our democracy.” But during the transition period eight years ago, he expressed a conciliatory tone with Trump and met with him at Trump Tower. Since then, Bezos has been supportive of Trump’s presidency, even congratulating him on his victory and praising his resilience.
This year, Bezos stated that Trump appears calmer, more confident, and more settled than during his first term. Bezos also publicly declared not to endorse a presidential candidate, breaking with tradition. The decision was made despite criticism, as he called it “far from cowardly.”
As a prominent entrepreneur and owner of Blue Origin, Bezos will interact with Trump’s administration in federal contracts. This is where Bezos’ space exploration company competes with SpaceX, which has received significant support from Musk, another key ally for Trump.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/04/jeff-bezos-says-hes-optimistic-about-trump-will-help-with-reducing-regulation.html