Jeff Bezos, executive chairman of Amazon and founder of Blue Origin, has taken significant steps this month to improve ties with former President Donald Trump, a move analysts say is intended to secure policy and contract advantages for his space company. According to The Wall Street Journal, Bezos spoke with Trump at least twice in June, while Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp met with Trump’s chief of staff, signaling a warming relationship following a previously chilly dynamic .
This outreach coincides with a notable split between Trump and Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX. Musk’s public criticism of Trump-backed legislation and speculation about launching a new political party contributed to a souring of their rapport. In response, Trump withdrew support for a Musk-backed NASA nominee and suggested cutting subsidies to Musk’s companies, creating an opening that Bezos appears eager to fill
The timing of Bezos’s outreach appears strategic. Blue Origin, which has traditionally lagged behind SpaceX in securing government contracts, including significant NASA and Space Force deals, may now benefit from closer political access. Earlier this month, Bezos extended an invitation to Trump to attend his wedding in Venice, though Trump was unable to attend. The gesture, alongside Amazon’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund, is seen as part of a broader effort to reset relations.
Blue Origin has recently made strides on its New Glenn rocket and reportedly secured a $2.3 billion NASA lunar contract—milestones likely to be bolstered by improved political alignment. However, industry analysts caution that while regulatory favor could help Blue Origin catch up to SpaceX, which is projected to carry out over 170 launches in 2025 and has a $5.9 billion Space Force contract, it may not be enough to close the gap completely
Bezos’s strategic pivot also reflects his evolving political posture. Once a target of Trump’s criticism—particularly related to Amazon’s business practices and Bezos’s ownership of The Washington Post—Bezos has since muted political expression from The Post, declining to endorse any candidate in 2024. He has shifted the newspaper’s editorial focus toward themes of “personal liberties and free markets,” aligning with more conservative messaging.
Whether this recalibration will result in meaningful advantages for Blue Origin remains uncertain. But with Bezos now speaking directly to Trump and deploying personal diplomacy—including invitations and financial support—many see it as a calculated effort to position the company favorably within a shifting political landscape.
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