Jeff Bezos told Trump the Washington Post was his worst investment before slashing staff: 'People there are terrible'
Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his "worst investment" during a December 2024 dinner at Mar-a-Lago. These comments preceded sweeping staff cuts at the newspaper. The details emerge from a new book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
What changed
New sources identify the specific location of the dinner, the date, and the title and authors of the book.
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Bezos called Washington Post "worst investment" in dinner with Trump
confidence 95%Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his "worst investment" during a December 2024 dinner at Mar-a-Lago. These comments preceded sweeping staff cuts at the newspaper. The details emerge from a new book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
What's confirmed:
- Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his "worst investment" during a private dinner in December 2024.
- The dinner took place at Mar-a-Lago.
- The information comes from a forthcoming book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" written by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
- Bezos made these comments months before approving sweeping cuts to the newspaper staff.
Still unconfirmed:
- Bezos told Trump that the people at The Washington Post are terrible.
- The book contains details regarding a significant defamation settlement.
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Bezos reportedly called Washington Post his worst investment during Trump dinner
confidence 80%Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his "worst investment" during a private dinner. These comments occurred months before the newspaper implemented major staff cuts. Bezos allegedly contrasted the Post staff with employees at his other companies.
What's confirmed:
- Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his "worst investment" during a private dinner.
- These remarks took place months before the newspaper underwent major staff cuts.
Still unconfirmed:
- Bezos told Trump that Post staff do not listen while employees at his other companies do.
- The information originates from a forthcoming book by Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman.
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Jeff Bezos called Washington Post his worst investment in talks with Trump
confidence 90%Jeff Bezos described The Washington Post as his worst investment and a $100 million blackhole. He told Donald Trump that the staff were terrible and did not listen. These comments preceded mass layoffs at the publication.
What's confirmed:
- Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump that The Washington Post was his worst investment.
- Bezos described the staff at the publication as terrible and said they do not listen.
- The comments were made during a dinner with Trump.
- The claims appear in a forthcoming book by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
Still unconfirmed:
- Bezos called the publication a $100 million blackhole.
- Bezos told Trump these details in December 2024.
- Bezos laid off nearly 300 staff in 2025.
- The complaints occurred two months before mass layoffs.