Donald Trump hates the media. Trump hates other rich and powerful people who think he's a moron. But Amazon founder Jeff Bezos occupies a special place in Trump's ire. Not only is Bezos a bleeding-heart Silicon Valley tech founder, but he owns the Washington Post — which makes him a media mogul of his own. To Trump, Bezos occupies a sweet space between those two loathed groups of people.
Trump lashed out at Bezos on Monday morning, calling him a shoddy business leader who owns two businesses that don't profit.
The @washingtonpost, which loses a fortune, is owned by @JeffBezos for purposes of keeping taxes down at his no profit company, @amazon.
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!
Never mind Trump properties' many bankruptcies. Never mind Trump's admitted use of financial devices in order to manipulate his assets. He is right about one thing: Amazon has gone years without making a profit, because Bezos is wreaking havoc on the retail and shipping industries in the name of innovation. Investors are just fine with this.
Bezos, always a man who appreciates humor, basked in the recognition of finally receiving one of Trump's many attempted digital smackdowns, and gave his own response:
Finally trashed by @realDonaldTrump. Will still reserve him a seat on the Blue Origin rocket. #sendDonaldtospace http://bit.ly/1OpyW5N
That hashtag proposing we #sendDonaldtospace has inspired others to send Trump their own bon voyages, suggesting that the Republican presidential candidate shoot for the moon and land among the stars.
Blue Origin was going to test with a chimp, but didn't want to risk harming an intelligent life form. #sendDonaldtospace
Um, hey, @JeffBezos? Reserve a seat for any kid instead. Donald Trump is the past. Inspire the future. #FreeSpaceShipping #sendDonaldtospace
Please #sendDonaldtospace It's the only solution I can see.
Bezos' net worth is estimated to be close to $50 billion, which by some measures is anywhere from five to 10 times the net worth of Trump.