FT Tech Tonic Trump’s Tech Bros: Has Jeff Bezos sold out?
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Jun 24, 2025 
Marty Baron, the former executive editor of The Washington Post, shares insights into Jeff Bezos's controversial ownership of the paper. He discusses how Bezos's stance shifted dramatically regarding Trump, affecting the newspaper’s editorial direction. Baron highlights the broader implications of billionaire influence in media, particularly in navigating political pressures. The conversation dives into the entangled relationship between commerce and journalistic integrity, pondering the future challenges faced by major media institutions amidst these dynamics.
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Trump's Feud with Bezos
- Trump aggressively attacked Jeff Bezos because he owned The Washington Post, calling him names like "Jeff Bozo."
- This hostility deeply impacted Bezos and contributed to tense relations in Trump's first term.
Bezos' Original Vision for Post
- Bezos bought the struggling Washington Post to invest and transform it for the digital era.
- His vision was to expand its reach nationally and internationally while maintaining editorial independence.
Bezos Ends Post's Endorsements
- Eleven days before the 2020 election, Bezos killed a Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris, a tradition nearly 50 years old.
- This move marked a major editorial shift signaling his yielding to Trump-related pressure.