Latest news with #Jeff Bezos
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
We are witnessing the silencing of American media
The latest casualty of Donald Trump's efforts to silence media criticism is Eduardo Porter, one of the most thoughtful and intelligent critics of his heinous regime. On Tuesday, Porter wrote his last column for the Washington Post. In a widely circulated email, he explained why he was leaving the Post: Jeff Bezos and his new head of Opinion are taking the paper down a path I cannot follow, directed toward the relentless promotion of free markets and personal liberties … I have no idea to what extent this is driven by Mr Bezos' fear of what Donald Trump could do to his various business interests, most of which are more valuable to him than The Post.' Well, I do have an idea. Bezos stopped the Post from endorsing Kamala Harris. Amazon made a huge contribution to Trump's inauguration. And he stood in front of Trump at the president's swearing in. Why? Because Bezos has founded a bunch of mega-corporations, including Amazon, that depend on Trump's goodwill and could be in deep trouble if Trump decided to retaliate against Bezos. It's much the same story with Stephen Colbert, longtime host of CBS's The Late Show and the top-rated late-night talkshow host in the US. On 14 July, Colbert openly criticized CBS's parent company, Paramount, for its $16m settlement with Trump over his frivolous lawsuit over the routine editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris that Trump claimed gave her an unfair advantage in the 2024 election. Said Colbert in his opening monologue: As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended. And I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company … I believe this kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. It's a big fat bribe. Because this all comes as Paramount's owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance.' Three days later, on 17 July, Paramount pulled the plug on Colbert's show, eliciting from Trump a celebratory: 'I absolutely love that Colbert was fired.' (A few days later, Colbert came out swinging, telling Trump to 'go fuck yourself', and joking that it had always been his dream to have a sitting president celebrate the end of his career.) On Thursday, one week after Colbert's show was cancelled, Trump's Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount's sale to Skydance. To clinch the deal, Skydance promised that it would eliminate all US-based diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Paramount and CBS and create a new ombudsman to field complaints of supposed bias in news coverage (presumably anything critical of Trump). Let's be clear. Bezos has silenced any criticism of Trump on the editorial pages of the Washington Post because Bezos fears Trump's wrath. CBS and its parent corporation, Paramount, have silenced criticism of Trump on Colbert's hugely popular late-night show because its top corporate brass fears Trump's wrath. The new owner of CBS has agreed to some federal interference in the content of what it produces because he fears Trump's wrath. It's the same with American universities, whose professors have often criticized Trump's illegal and unconstitutional actions and whose research has often yielded conclusions that contradict Trump's lies (such as that climate change is a 'hoax'). Columbia University and a handful of others have gone out of their way to 'cooperate' with the Trump regime in order to avoid Trump's wrath. What does 'cooperation' entail? Silencing Trump's potential critics. Columbia has just agreed to allow the regime to review its admissions and hiring practices in order to receive the federal research grants that the regime had held back. Friends, this is how democracy dies. The silencing is happening across America because Trump cannot stand criticism, because he's vindictive as hell, and because he's willing and able to use every department and agency of the federal government to punish any media corporations or universities that allow criticism of him. Shame on any media outlet or university that allows Trump to silence it. Trump is a dangerous despot. America needs its Eduardo Porters, Stephen Colberts, and all others in the media and in academia who have helped the nation understand just how truly dangerous Trump is. Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist. His newsletter is at His next book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, will be out on 5 August
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
EU deal, China talks, Gaza aid and a Bezos-backed pick-up
Follow on Apple or Spotify. Listen on the Reuters app. The U.S. agrees a trade deal with the European Union. Meanwhile, top U.S. and Chinese economic officials resume tariff talks in Stockholm. Israel announces a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors into the enclave. And the back-to-basics EV pick-up created with funding from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Today's Recommended Read can be found here. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt out of targeted advertising. Further Reading Thai, Cambodian leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia Epstein furor undermines public trust, Republican election hopes, two US lawmakers say Russia's night attack wounds eight in Kyiv, Ukraine says Six killed in Bangkok market after gunman opens fire
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trump ally Jeff Bezos eyes liberal network in potential bombshell deal that could transform cable news
Jeff Bezos is considering purchasing cable network CNBC when it splits with its parent company later this year, according to a new report. The deal could transform cable news as the world's fourth richest man continues to cozy up to President Donald Trump. Bezos already owns left-leaning The Washington Post a nd is the founder of Amazon, but according to the New York Post, he believes CNBC could be a good 'neutral voice' to add to his empire. The business and financial news channel would 'align well with his interests,' a source closes to Bezos told the publication. Trump often took issue with Bezos over his ownership of The Washington Post during his first term, but the relationship has softened in the second Trump administration. Bezos joined a host of tech CEOs on stage with Trump at his inauguration and last week enjoyed an hour-long private meeting with the president at the White House. Comcast is planning to split off its cable assets, which includes CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network and E!, by the end of the year. CNBC will be folded into publicly traded company Versant, led by Chief Executive Mark Lazarus and a team of NBCUniversal executives. But sources close to Comcast and Versant have cast doubt over whispers of Bezos' interest in purchasing the network. One source said Bezos has not approached executives regarding his supposed interest. Another said Versant has big plans to grow CNBC, and is not interested in selling the asset. The publication stated Versant has a two year window in which it cannot sell major assets - including CNBC - without major tax implications. It is unlikely the company would be willing to jeopardize the tax-free status of the spinoff, no matter how much Bezos would be willing to pay, one source said. Bezos is the fourth richest person in the world, with a net worth of around $241billion, according to Forbes. He recently married Lauren Sanchez in an elaborate, celebrity-filled celebration in Italy, sparking fury among locals. Their $50million wedding had a star-studded guest list with many A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance. The happy couple got married in a restored amphitheater on the island, as Sánchez wore a high-neck, long sleeve lace Dolce & Gabbana gown that took over 900 hours to make, per Vogue. The gown featured a flared skirt, long veil, and a tight-fitting waist, with tons of buttons going up the middle. 'Very Lauren. Sexy, happy, not too serious, not too drama. Elegant but at the same time sensual,' Domenico Dolce told the outlet about the bride's dress. The pair were seen having a romantic date night in St Tropez, France, on Wednesday.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I just won $120K from a lawsuit. I need a car and to pay off $5K in debt — how do I make the most of the rest?
It's not every day you suddenly come into a large sum of money and figuring out what to do with it smartly can feel overwhelming. Still, it can happen: some of us might one day receive a sizable payout from a lottery, inheritance or legal settlement. Imagine this scenario: You've just won a lawsuit and after taxes and lawyer fees, you're expecting about $120,000 as payout. You have $5,000 in debt you want to clear and you need to buy a car for work since you don't currently own one and it would simplify and reduce your commute. You also have a stable job with a decent income, but no real savings or investments because of past financial missteps. How can you make the rest of that money go as far as possible? While $120,000 is a meaningful amount of money, it can disappear fast if you're not careful, deliberate and strategic with your spending. Here's how to make sure that one-time payout sets you up for lasting financial stability. If you don't keep a budget, now would be a good time to start one. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Immediate next steps Paying off any debt should be one of your first priorities and with $120,000, that $5,000 balance can be addressed easily. Once you pay off that amount, you instantly free up funds you would've had to spend on monthly interest payments. If you don't have an emergency savings fund, that becomes priority number two. Put away at least three to six months' worth of expenses into an accessible, high-yield savings account for any unexpected costs. Let's say this amount comes to $25,000, leaving you with $90,000. Once you pay off the debt and set up an emergency fund, it's time to think about a vehicle purchase. While that settlement money makes the price of a shiny new car seem affordable, remember that the costs don't end at the sticker. Cars lose value quickly and things like insurance premiums and property tax bills will add up. Consider a reliable used vehicle that can combine longevity, efficiency and low maintenance costs. Certified pre-owned models, for instance, can give you the feeling of 'new' while lowering your cost and coming with an extended warranty. Begin investing After paying off your $5,000 debt, padding your emergency savings at $25,000 and buying a nice, reliable $25,000 used car, you've got $65,000 left from your winnings. It may be time to start investing, thinking about tax-advantaged accounts. A Clever Real Estate survey found that 40% of respondents said they'd blow through a $10,000 windfall without saving any of it and nearly 84% said they'd make unnecessary purchases to 'treat' themselves. It's best to get that settlement money into a spot where it's safe from any temptation to spend recklessly. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. You may not be able to easily access it, but investing will allow you to reap compound interest over time. Consider a diversified index fund or ETF portfolio that can spread your money — and risk — across multiple stocks or an index. Since you may be investing tens of thousands of dollars, consider speaking to a financial advisor to help you make the best investment decisions for your particular situation. You may also want to set aside some of that cash for a Roth IRA to bump up your retirement savings. Note that you can invest up to $7,000 a year tax-free, or $8,000 for those 50 and older. And now that you're really doing some financial planning, consider setting a budget for at least the next year or two. Determine your monthly expenses and bills before you add any of the award money; more often than not, the best way to approach a large windfall is to act like you don't have it. It's okay to have a little fun While it's usually best to put most of that money somewhere you can 'set it and forget it,' don't be afraid to budget a small one-time expense for yourself if your priorities allow. That could mean saving for a concert, vacation or upgrading your technology — whatever adds a little joy without derailing your plans. You may also want to consider spending on whatever provides a solid return-on-investment. For example, as Warren Buffet said, 'The best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, and it's not taxed at all.' So, while it's not traditional investment advice, you may want to spend any 'fun money' on expanding your knowledge, skillset or self-improvement. The bottom line is that by the end you should still have a solid chunk of your award money left to serve as a financial cushion or to help you jumpstart future goals. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
23-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
WaPo editorial member leaves over Bezos' 'relentless promotion of free markets and personal liberties'
A Washington Post editorial board member is reportedly leaving the paper, citing leadership's "relentless promotion of free markets and personal liberties." Following President Donald Trump's re-election, Post owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced that the editorial section of the paper would be changing course, prompting then-opinion editor David Shipley to leave. "We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We'll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," Bezos posted on X in Feb 2025. This proved to be too much for liberal Post editorial board member and columnist Eduardo Porter, who said he would no longer be writing for the paper because he is a "bad fit for this ideological turn." In a letter allegedly penned by Porter, he said, "Jeff Bezos and his new head of Opinion are taking the paper down a path I cannot follow directed towards the relentless promotion of free markets and personal liberties, unflinching in its patriotism and unbounded in its optimism about the future of the United States." "In my view, this layering of dogma undermines critical thinking. It is in tension with my understanding of what journalism, analysis and commentary are about. It risks turning the Post into something more akin to a church, with tight constraints on thought," he added. Porter appeared to believe that the new direction would turn the Washington Post into a "pamphlet" for "venerating the technological plutocracy at the apex of American society" that he believes Bezos takes part in as a tech-based mogul. He also questioned Trump's influence in these decisions. "I have no idea to what extent this is driven by Mr. Bezos' fear of what Donald Trump could do to his various business interests, most of which are more valuable to him than The Post," the letter read. Fox News Digital reached out to Porter and the Washington Post for comment. Reports of Porter leaving the Post come on the heels of fellow columnist Jonathan Capehart, who had previously resigned from the editorial board, reportedly accepting a buyout to leave the paper after nearly two decades. A glut of columnists and opinion page contributors - Ann Telnaes, David Shipley, Ruth Marcus, Eugene Robinson and, just earlier this month, Joe Davidson – have also all departed the beltway paper as concerns mount over the Washington Post's editorial slant taking a rightward shift following Trump's re-election. Washington Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis urged staff members in a memo earlier this month that those who didn't "feel aligned" with the new direction should take a buyout and leave.
