Trump Praises Bezos for Washington Post’s MAGA Makeover

In a striking reversal from past criticisms, former President Donald Trump is now lauding Jeff Bezos for reshaping The Washington Post into what he calls a “real newspaper.” During an interview Sunday with Sinclair’s Sharyl Attkisson, Trump praised Bezos’ recent editorial overhaul, calling it a sign of “fairer journalism.”

Bezos’ Conservative Pivot

Bezos, who purchased the Post in 2013, announced last month that the paper’s opinion section would now focus on “free markets and personal liberties.” The move marks a significant shift from the Post’s traditionally left-leaning editorial stance and has sparked major backlash among liberal journalists and staffers.

“A guy like Bezos, I’ve gotten to know him, and I think he’s trying to do a real job,” Trump said in the interview. “That wasn’t happening before. He’s seen what happens when media turns into propaganda, and he’s fixing it.”

Bezos’ decision led to immediate turmoil inside the Post. The opinion editor resigned in protest, at least two columns were pulled, and veteran columnist Ruth Marcus took her critiques to The New Yorker. Meanwhile, sources inside the paper claim that some newsroom staffers are actively considering departure.

Bezos’ Outreach to Trump

Bezos, once a frequent target of Trump’s attacks, has taken a series of steps to warm relations with the former president. Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt, in his book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, revealed that Bezos privately reached out to Trump after the July assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, praising his resilience. Shortly thereafter, Bezos reportedly quashed the Post’s planned endorsement of Kamala Harris and ended the paper’s endorsement practice altogether, citing distrust in mainstream media.

Bezos has also made personal overtures. Following Trump’s election victory, the Amazon founder posted on X (formerly Twitter) celebrating Trump’s “extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory.” The two later dined at Mar-a-Lago, an event that sources say was instrumental in reshaping Trump’s view of Bezos.

Big Tech’s Changing Stance

Bezos is not the only tech giant shifting gears on Trump. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has eased content moderation rules on conservative voices, while OpenAI’s Sam Altman has walked back previous criticisms of Trump. This recalibration among Silicon Valley elites signals a broader recognition of Trump’s political influence.

Amazon, which had previously been accused of being at odds with Trump’s administration, has also extended an olive branch. The company donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee and later paid roughly $40 million for a Melania Trump documentary, along with securing streaming rights for NBC’s The Apprentice.

A New Media Landscape

For years, Trump lambasted The Washington Post, often calling it the “Amazon Washington Post” and mocking Bezos as “Jeff Bozo.” His administration even accused Amazon of losing key federal contracts due to its association with the paper’s critical coverage.

Now, with Bezos appearing to align with Trump’s media vision, the Post could be entering a new chapter. “This is a big deal,” Trump remarked to The Spectator last month. “We need more media that tells the truth. Bezos sees that.”

A spokesperson for Bezos declined to comment on the latest developments.

The shift at The Washington Post signals a broader media transformation, with major players reconsidering their positions in a political landscape increasingly shaped by Trump’s enduring influence.