Profit at Amazon soared this spring despite complaints from President Trump that the company isn’t paying the U.S. Postal Service enough for package deliveries and his frequent suggestions that a top national newspaper is serving as the e-commerce giant’s mouthpiece.
Net income at the Seattle-based company skyrocketed to $2.5 billion in the three months through June, up from $197 million a year ago. Revenue grew 39 percent to $52.9 billion.
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post, is a routine target of critical Twitter posts from Trump, who recently claimed the news outlet is doing public relations for the company.
The president has further argued that the U.S. Postal Service is subsidizing package deliveries for Amazon, despite research showing that charging the company more money could harm the independent agency.
Trump previously launched an investigation into the Postal Service’s operations and finances.
Alongside pressure from the White House, Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who challenged Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, has also criticized Bezos for not paying Amazon employees a fair wage.
“Amazon just announced that they made $2.5 billion in profits last quarter. Why does Jeff Bezos still refuse to treat his workers with respect and dignity?,” Sanders tweeted on Thursday following the earnings announcement.
Amazon just announced that they made $2.5 billion in profits last quarter. Why does Jeff Bezos still refuse to treat his workers with respect and dignity? pic.twitter.com/BJ6YIRTq0b
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 26, 2018
At Amazon, U.S. sales in the quarter grew 43.8 percent to $32 billion, while international sales grew 27.22 percent to $14.6 billion. The company is growing its presence in countries like India, where it is battling key rival Walmart for dominance in the emerging market.
