Amazon founder Jeff Bezos expressed confidence in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming second term while speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit. “I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” Bezos said, highlighting his belief in the administration’s ability to bring about significant changes.
Bezos praised Trump’s focus on reducing regulations, stating, “He [Trump] seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help him do that, I’m going to help him.” His remarks reflect a willingness to support efforts aimed at simplifying government processes and fostering economic growth.
A New Department for Government Efficiency
In alignment with his vision to reduce regulatory burdens, Trump recently announced the creation of the Department for Government Efficiency. This new department aims to cut government spending, eliminate excessive regulations, and reduce bureaucratic red tape. Notably, Trump appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-leads of the initiative, reflecting a commitment to innovation and efficiency.
A Calmer and More Confident Trump
Bezos noted a marked change in Trump’s demeanor compared to his first term. “He seems calmer than he was the first time and more confident, more settled,” Bezos observed, suggesting a potential shift in leadership style that could benefit the administration and its initiatives.
Defending Journalistic Neutrality
As the owner of The Washington Post, Bezos also addressed the publication’s decision not to endorse any presidential candidate during the recent election. Despite backlash from over 200,000 subscribers who canceled their subscriptions following the paper’s neutrality, Bezos stood firm in his decision.
“We just decided that it wasn’t going to help … it wasn’t going to influence the election either way,” he explained. Endorsing a candidate, he argued, would have further eroded trust among readers and amplified perceptions of bias.
Bezos expressed pride in maintaining journalistic impartiality, saying, “We made the right decision. I’m very proud of that decision.”
A Collaborative Future
Bezos’s comments reflect an openness to collaboration between business leaders and the government, emphasizing the potential for bipartisan efforts to address key issues. As Trump prepares for his second term, Bezos’s optimism suggests a focus on finding common ground to achieve meaningful progress.
