A forthcoming book by New York Times reporters Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman claims that Jeff Bezos described The Washington Post as his “worst investment” during a private dinner with Donald Trump in December 2024. The account, first reported by Fox News and the New York Post, sheds new light on the turmoil at the newspaper.
According to the book, titled “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” Bezos told Trump that Post leadership ignored his input. “They don’t listen,” Bezos allegedly said. Trump, a frequent critic of the Post’s reporting, replied that the paper was “really unfair.” A Post spokesperson later clarified that Bezos’s frustration was directed at the business side, not editorial.
The remarks come as the Post undergoes severe cutbacks. In February, the paper laid off about a third of its staff, affecting international, editing, metro, and sports desks. Management told employees the paper needed “a new way forward and a sounder foundation.”
Business challenges have mounted. In 2024, Reuters reported that over 200,000 digital subscribers canceled their accounts after the Post’s owner blocked an endorsement of Kamala Harris. Bezos defended the move, saying endorsements create “a perception of bias.” He also pushed to refocus the opinion section on “personal liberties and free markets,” leading to the departure of opinion editor David Shipley.
The Post has also eliminated its sports section, reduced foreign bureaus, and scaled back books coverage. Executive Editor Matt Murray called the moves “tough but necessary,” acknowledging that the Post “can’t be everything to everyone.”
Meanwhile, competitors like The New York Times have diversified into games, Wirecutter, and The Athletic, broadening their consumer base. The Post remains more tied to traditional news patterns and has faced heightened criticism over ownership moves.
Critics warn of lasting damage. Martin Baron, former Post executive editor, described the changes as “near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.” Margaret Sullivan, a Columbia journalism professor and former Post media columnist, called the layoffs “devastating news” for journalism.
Bezos acquired the Post in 2013 with a long-term vision, but by late 2024 he was reportedly discussing it with Trump as a lost investment. The book excerpt adds a political dimension to the Post’s struggles, raising questions about whether cost-cutting can restore trust or if the paper’s reporting depth will suffer.
