Trump says he had dinner with Bezos week of Washington Post changes

Driving the news: The president said in an interview that they were "bitter enemies" in his first term, but said he "likes these guys" referring to Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

• "I never even understood it," Trump said. "I didn't know him. I didn't know Zuckerberg. I didn't know Jeff, I didn't. When you look at the inauguration, it was a 'who's-who' of every single one of them. Every single guy was there."
• In July 2024, Bezos privately urged Trump to choose Doug Burgum as his vice president in a phone call, signaling that Bezos was engaging politically with Trump earlier than originally thought.

Catch up quick: Bezos ordered that the Post opinion section focus on personal liberties and free markets and not publish dissents on those areas. Editor David Shipley resigned after the changes were mandated.

• "I'm confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I'm excited for us together to fill that void," Bezos wrote in a letter to the Post's staff.

• This change comes after Bezos decided in October that the Post would not endorse presidential candidates anymore, after the paper's editorial board drafted an endorsement of former Vice President Harris.

Bezos did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.