Overview of To Beat Musk, Bezos Befriended Trump
This episode of The Journal examines how Jeff Bezos went from being one of Donald Trump’s favorite targets to becoming a welcome ally in Trump’s orbit — and how that shift appears to be paying off for Bezos’s companies, especially Blue Origin. The key backdrop is Elon Musk: as Musk became a major Trump backer and gained influence in the White House, Bezos appears to have recalibrated his approach to protect his own business interests and gain favor with the administration.
From Feud to Friendship
During Trump’s first term, the relationship between Trump and Bezos was openly hostile:
- Trump regularly attacked Bezos, Amazon, and The Washington Post.
- He reportedly referred to Bezos as “Bozo.”
- He accused Amazon of using The Washington Post for political influence.
- Bezos, in turn, was said to be frustrated with Trump-era media coverage and was not shy about criticizing the press’s handling of Trump.
Two anecdotes capture the tension:
- In 2017, Trump allegedly asked Anthony Scaramucci whether the government could “break up Amazon.”
- In 2018, Bezos reportedly challenged NBC chairman Andy Lack over coverage of Trump.
Why Bezos Changed Course
By 2024, Bezos had begun publicly softening toward Trump. The episode argues that this was not just ideological — it was strategic.
Main reasons for the turnaround:
- Trump’s closeness to Elon Musk created a threat to Bezos’s space company, Blue Origin.
- Musk’s influence raised fears that SpaceX would get even more government contracts.
- Bezos wanted access to a president who likes to be surrounded by wealthy, powerful people.
- Bezos had also grown frustrated with the Biden administration, which he saw as less business-friendly and more anti-union.
Elon Musk as the Trigger
Musk’s role is central to the story:
- He spent heavily to support Trump’s re-election.
- He traveled with Trump, advised him, and became deeply embedded in his circle.
- Blue Origin leaders worried Musk’s proximity to Trump would widen the gap between SpaceX and Blue Origin.
At the time:
- SpaceX was far ahead of Blue Origin in launches, satellite deployments, and overall capability.
- Blue Origin had lagged behind, still struggling to get its New Glenn rocket into regular service.
Bezos’s Visible Moves Toward Trump
Bezos made several high-profile moves that signaled a shift:
- After the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, Bezos called him “a badass.”
- He blocked The Washington Post from endorsing Kamala Harris, breaking with a long editorial tradition.
- Amazon paid $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary.
- Bezos and Lauren Sánchez attended Trump’s inauguration.
- Amazon donated $1 million to the inauguration.
These actions suggested a clear effort to reset the relationship.
What Bezos Got in Return
The episode argues that Bezos’s outreach has had tangible business benefits, particularly for Blue Origin.
Blue Origin’s gains under Trump:
- Federal contracts for Blue Origin have accelerated sharply.
- Its average annual contracts under Trump grew 177% compared with the Biden era average.
- Blue Origin has received about $1.1 billion in federal contracts during Trump’s current term so far.
- Amazon Web Services also saw a jump, reaching a record $389 million in federal contracts last year.
But there are limits:
- SpaceX still has received more federal money overall than Blue Origin under Trump.
- Blue Origin continues to face technical setbacks, including a rocket explosion on the launch pad in Florida.
Bigger Takeaway
The episode presents the Trump-Bezos relationship as a striking example of how power works in modern Washington:
- Trump values access to billionaires and major business leaders.
- Business relationships can translate directly into government contracts and policy advantages.
- In this environment, staying close to the president can be a competitive necessity.
The most important takeaway is that Bezos likely learned from his first-term experience: being the president’s punching bag is costly, while being in the inner circle may be very profitable.
Notable Insight
One of the episode’s clearest points is that this is not just about personal chemistry — it’s about leverage.
“This is a more transactional White House.”
That framing explains the core dynamic: Bezos’s warmth toward Trump seems less like a sudden ideological shift and more like a calculated business move shaped by competition with Musk and the stakes of federal support for Blue Origin.