On Friday, it was reported that President Trump personally pushed the U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double what the Postal Service charges Amazon for shipping its items.
So far, Brennan has resisted following through on the president’s request, which would cost the company billions of dollars to make up for the costs.
An added wrinkle to this reported policy proposal by Trump is that Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, also owns the Washington Post, a paper that has consistently been critical of Trump in its opinion and reporting.
Trump alleges that Amazon has been given a sweetheart deal by the Postal Service in the form of subsidies.
Only fools, or worse, are saying that our money losing Post Office makes money with Amazon. THEY LOSE A FORTUNE, and this will be changed. Also, our fully tax paying retailers are closing stores all over the country…not a level playing field!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2018
If it had been any other president besides Trump who proposed increasing the rate Amazon pays, it might not have gotten media attention, and it might have sparked a level-headed debate.
But Trump has continuously linked Amazon with the Post when berating the newspaper for unfavorable coverage.
Here’s just a quick sampling on his Twitter feed just in the past year:
It’s hard to read the Failing New York Times or the Amazon Washington Post because every story/opinion, even if should be positive, is bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2017
The Amazon Washington Post fabricated the facts on my ending massive, dangerous, and wasteful payments to Syrian rebels fighting Assad…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017
I am right about Amazon costing the United States Post Office massive amounts of money for being their Delivery Boy. Amazon should pay these costs (plus) and not have them bourne by the American Taxpayer. Many billions of dollars. P.O. leaders don’t have a clue (or do they?)!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2018
The Fake News Washington Post, Amazon’s “chief lobbyist,” has another (of many) phony headlines, “Trump Defiant As China Adds Trade Penalties.” WRONG! Should read, “Trump Defiant as U.S. Adds Trade Penalties, Will End Barriers And Massive I.P. Theft.” Typically bad reporting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 5, 2018
While Trump was running for president, he railed Amazon for not paying their fair share in taxes.
If @amazon ever had to pay fair taxes, its stock would crash and it would crumble like a paper bag. The @washingtonpost scam is saving it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015
The @washingtonpost loses money (a deduction) and gives owner @JeffBezos power to screw public on low taxation of @Amazon! Big tax shelter
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015
Again, President Trump might have a legitimate case for raising shipping prices on Amazon, if he didn’t continuously link the massive corporation to the Washington Post. Now, it’s being perceived that Trump is trying to harm the parent company of one of his press critics in order to exact revenge. There’s no proof yet that that’s his intent, but you can’t blame anyone who suspects as much.
