President Donald Trump is going after Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, who – separately from his ownership of the mega-retailer – is also the owner of The Washington Post, a paper highly critical of Trump and his administration.
A report by Axios Wednesday stated the president is “obsessed” with Amazon. That news caused the internet-based retailer to lose $53 billion in value. Also Wednesday, the White House denied the administration had any “specific policies or actions that we’re currently pushing” against Amazon.
Things change.
Just before 8 AM Thursday President Trump made clear his intentions.
In a tweet that is filled with lies, Trump accused Amazon of paying “little or no taxes to state & local governments” (false), using “our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.)” (false), “and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!” (possibly true, but that’s called capitalism.)
Amazon pays state and local taxes as required by law. This is not in dispute. Amazon is actually helping keep the Postal Service afloat. The USPS has expanded delivery days and hired workers thanks to Amazon’s business.
Trump has “wondered aloud if there may be any way to go after Amazon with antitrust or competition law,” Axios, citing a source, reported.
“Trump’s wealthy friends tell him Amazon is destroying their businesses. His real estate buddies tell him — and he agrees — that Amazon is killing shopping malls and brick-and-mortar retailers,” Axios added.
That’s not something the federal government should have control over or interest in.