Will Jeff Bezos follow in Donald Trump's footsteps? Billionaire might run for White House in 2024, claims expert
Jeff Bezos could launch an ambitious bid for the US presidency in 2024 after stepping down as CEO of Amazon following his record-breaking divorce, experts have said. Boasting a staggering net worth of $140 billion, the world's richest man has previously accused former President Donald Trump of "eroding democracy." Some experts believe that the Amazon founder may follow the real estate mogul's footstep's after quitting his job as CEO of the e-commerce giant.
Speaking to Forbes, retail analyst Brittain Ladd outlined possible scenarios for Bezos following his split from his wife Mackenzie, 48, who stood with him through thick and thin and helped build Amazon into a global brand. “Jeff Bezos steps down as CEO of Amazon to pursue other interests due to negative publicity," Ladd told Forbes. “I won't be surprised if Bezos becomes a candidate for president in time for the 2024 election.”
According to the retail expert, the world's richest man could start a “Listening Tour” around the country to garner support for his candidacy. Ladd said he had spoken to a number of financial and Wall Street analysts who said it is “very possible and plausible" that Bezos may run for the White House.
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“Bezos stepping down as CEO to focus on other interests is not beyond the realm of possibility," the business strategist concluded. “As for Bezos becoming president in 2024, can it happen? Yes, I believe it can.” Bezos may quite possibly glean inspiration from Trump. The former real estate mogul also gave up control of his businesses, including The Trump Organization, before announcing his bid for the White House in 2015.
In 2017, however, Bezos claimed he did not have any plans of running for the presidency as he had a "very full life." “Oh, no. I don’t think so — I love my life. I love being an inventor," he said, according to Forbes. “I love Blue Origin, my space company. I love the Washington Post… basically I have a very full life. And I really like it.”
Former President Trump has often clashed with Bezos, whom he once referred to as "Jeff Bozo." The 45th president accused the entrepreneur of using his newspaper The Washington Post as a political weapon and to avoid paying taxes. Meanwhile, there have been claims that Bezos had sent a photograph of his "willy" to lover Lauren Sanchez among a series of intimate text messages that were leaked to the public. He reportedly also told the married TV star that he was "full of love" for her and wanted to "not be quite so gentle" with her.
In a tweet last April, Bezos revealed that he and his ex-wife MacKenzie had finalized their divorce. Bezos retained 75 percent of the former couple's Amazon shares, which is about 12 percent of the company, according to The New York Times. "I'm so grateful to all my friends and family for reaching out with encouragement and love. It means more than you know. MacKenzie most of all," Bezos tweeted. In her own statement on Twitter, MacKenzie revealed details of what assets they had divided, which her ex-husband retweeted. The divorce has made her the third richest woman in the world.
Sanchez, who is a TV host and owner of an aerial filming company, also ended her marriage to her husband of 13 years, Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell. She and Whitesell have two children together, and she has an older son from a previous relationship. Bezos and Sanchez got to know each other through her ex-husband Whitesell. Their spouses were reportedly aware of this relationship.