Former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron expressed his dissatisfaction with Jeff Bezos’ new directive and the backlash it has caused within the publication, during an appearance on ‘MediaBuzz.’ Emily Stewart from Business Insider reported on numerous individuals who admitted to stealing from companies owned by Bezos out of resentment. Her report, published under the headline “The rise of the anti-Amazon avengers,” explores how many people view their thefts as a form of Robin Hood-esque action, where they take from the wealthy to benefit themselves.
Stewart’s investigation revealed that these shoplifters are driven by more than just financial struggles; they harbor grievances against Bezos, related to his business practices and his political realignments concerning President Donald Trump and the Washington Post. Controversy arose within the Washington Post, also owned by Bezos, when he opted not to endorse any candidate amid the 2024 election cycle. Following Trump’s election victory, Bezos met with him at Mar-a-Lago in December and announced significant changes to The Post’s opinion section in February, focusing more on personal liberties and free markets.
Stewart interviewed nearly a dozen individuals involved in theft and other legally questionable activities, giving them pseudonyms. These individuals shared various reasons for their actions, with one communications professional from the Washington D.C. area, pseudonym “Lee,” rationalizing his acts of stealing from Whole Foods as striking back at Bezos’ billionaire status. Lee’s minor thefts included actions such as misrepresenting items at self-checkout.
Another individual, “Jesse,” argued that their theft served as a political statement against Amazon’s perceived exploitation. Jesse expressed no remorse for depriving the company of revenue, justifying it as retribution against Bezos’ amassed wealth and influence.
A person referred to as “Carson,” involved in the nonprofit sector, described his shoplifting activities, estimating an annual savings of $1,000 in groceries primarily from Whole Foods. Carson likened Bezos to the villain Lex Luthor, questioning the real impact of such a dehumanized system. Additionally, Carson confessed to exploiting Amazon’s return policy to his advantage.
“Jimmy,” a government worker, described his indifference towards Bezos while detailing his method of exploiting Amazon’s return system, likening himself to “the Batman of returns.”
Despite the motives cited by these individuals, Stewart cautioned that such actions are ultimately unproductive and detrimental to society. She highlighted how theft could induce negative repercussions on retailers and potentially prompt companies to raise prices or make return policies more stringent, thereby affecting everyone, not just Bezos. Stewart concluded her report on a somewhat lighter note, implying that such actions are preferable to more destructive acts. Both Amazon and Whole Foods declined to comment on the report.
