Jeff Bezos reportedly expressed concerns about The Washington Post to Donald Trump before staff reductions

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reportedly told then-President-elect Donald Trump during a dinner in December 2024 that The Washington Post was his 'worst investment.' This conversation occurred months before Bezos authorized significant staff cuts at the newspaper. According to a forthcoming book by New York Times journalists Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman, Bezos expressed frustration with the newspaper's business operations after it incurred losses exceeding $100 million that year. He reportedly stated, 'The people there are terrible,' indicating dissatisfaction with the management. Trump, who had been critical of the Post's coverage, also voiced his concerns during the dinner, saying, 'This Washington Post is really unfair. You’ve got to take better care.' The book details how both men shared grievances about the newspaper, albeit for different reasons. Trump claimed that Bezos had mentioned the purchase of the Post had cost him friendships, while Bezos later noted that people close to him had suggested selling the newspaper. The dinner took place after the Post decided not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, leading to subscriber cancellations. In February 2026, the Post laid off one-third of its staff, which included cuts to its sports section and several foreign bureaus. A spokesperson for The Washington Post declined to comment on the matter.