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Tag: Amazon
June 3, 2025
2A
News

Donald Trump Jr. Launching ‘Amazon of Guns’ to Strengthen the Second Amendment.

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❓What Happened: Donald Trump Jr. is launching an online firearm store called GrabAGun, aiming to make firearms more accessible and fill gaps left by corporate policy changes.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump Jr., investor Omeed Malik, GrabAGun CEO Marc Nemat, and attorney Colion Noir.

📍 Where & When: Announced on June 3, 2025, with plans to go public soon.

💬 Key Quote: “This is giving [the public] an opportunity with ‘grab a gun,’ to shop the way they shop virtually everything else.” — Donald Trump Jr.

⚠️ Impact: The platform seeks to restore access to firearms and accessories, offering a streamlined online shopping experience while adhering to federal regulations.

IN FULL:

Donald Trump Jr. has announced the upcoming launch of an online firearm retailer, GrabAGun, which he and his partners have described as the “Amazon of guns.” The platform aims to provide a streamlined shopping experience for firearms and accessories while adhering to federal safety regulations.

Speaking to the media on June 3, Trump Jr. explained the motivation behind the venture, highlighting a growing demand for firearms among groups not traditionally associated with gun ownership. “There’s women coming into the marketplace for self-defense,” he said. “There’s a younger generation that’s shifting to the conservative side that understands the need to exercise their Second Amendment.”

GrabAGun will allow customers to purchase firearms online, though federal law requires the weapons to be picked up from authorized and licensed dealers, where standard background checks will be conducted. However, accessories such as scopes and ammunition can be shipped directly to consumers’ homes.

Trump Jr., an avid marksman and hunter, emphasized the venture’s role in filling a void created by changing corporate policies. “Walmart used to be the largest retailer of firearms in America. Corporate policies change, you can no longer have that access,” he noted. “This is covering that void.”

The company has already announced a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) led by investor Omeed Malik, who has previously backed conservative ventures including Tucker Carlson‘s media startup and the “anti-woke” online marketplace Public Square. Malik described the GrabAGun platform as a way for Americans to “buy guns and ammunition online just like you can on Amazon because we have a Second Amendment right.”

The website offers a wide range of products, including rifles, shotguns, small arms, ammunition, and outdoor equipment such as tents and camping gear. Trump Jr. will join the company’s board when it goes public, alongside gun influencer and attorney Colion Noir.

Additionally, Trump Jr. and Malik announced plans for a new social club in Washington, D.C., named the Executive Branch, which will cater to the city’s elite with a $500,000 membership fee.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 13, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec

Pro-Terrorist Twitch Streamer Hasan Piker Detained at U.S. Airport.

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❓What Happened: Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer on Amazon’s Twitch with over six million followers across social media, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Piker, who openly backs Houthi attacks on civilian shipping in the Red Sea, claims he was targeted for his views on foreign policy and stance against President Donald J. Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hasan Piker, CBP officials, U.S. government spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection are baseless,” U.S. government official Tricia McLaughlin posted on X (formerly Twitter).

⚠️ Impact: Piker’s detention underscores the Trump administration’s firm stance on national security, prioritizing scrutiny of individuals with terrorist sympathies.

IN FULL:

Hasan “HasanAbi” Piker, a top streamer on Amazon’s Twitch platform, was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Sunday. Piker, boasting over six million followers across social media, openly supports the Houthis—a designated terrorist organization operating out of Yemen—and their attacks on civilian shipping and sailors. Piker, who was raised in Turkey, previously said that “America deserved 9/11” and stated Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), who lost an eye during a deployment in Iraq, “literally los[t] his eye because some mujahideen—a brave f***ing soldier—f***ed his eye hole with their d**k.”

Piker, returning from France, complained on X (formerly Twitter) that CBP officials quizzed him about his views on Trump, Israel, the Houthis, and Hamas, claiming the “insane situation” was an attempt to “silence” him. “It’s very obvious that they knew exactly who I was,” he told followers, framing the inspection as a political witch hunt.

U.S. officials denied Piker’s claims, with spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin saying he was “lying for likes,” and adding: “Claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection are baseless.” The CBP added, “Our officers are following the law, not agendas,” and that Piker was released promptly after a lawful check.

Notably, Piker is not merely pro-Palestinian or anti-Trump. In a recent debate with Ethan Klein, a liberal YouTuber, Piker stated, “I believe what the Houthis are doing… to implement a blockade on the Red Sea, is a good thing, ten toes f***ing down. They are on the morally right side.”

Of an incident in which Houthi terrorists hijacked a civilian vessel and held a number of Filipino sailors hostage for around a year, Piker said, “It is a show of force to stop other… commercial shipping from going through. They literally bankrupted an entire Israeli port, I’d say that’s numbers on the f***ing board, baby.”

As recently as March, Piker told his followers, “If you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott, OK?” Last April, responding to comments by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) on anti-Israel protestors, Piker shared an image of an improvised firearm design, in what was widely interpreted as a call to assassinate the GOP lawmaker.

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April 29, 2025
Economy
News

UPS Cuts 20,000 Jobs as Amazon Reduces Shipments.

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❓What Happened: UPS announced plans to reduce its workforce by 20,000 jobs this year as part of a cost-reduction strategy related to decreased deliveries from Amazon.

👥 Who’s Involved: UPS, an international shipping company with about 490,000 employees, and its largest customer, Amazon.

📍 Where & When: The job cuts were disclosed on Tuesday, with an announcement regarding facility closures planned by June 2025.

💬 Key Quote: The company stated that the cuts are in “connection with our anticipation of lower volumes from our largest customer.”

⚠️ Impact: UPS’s plan involves job cuts and the closure of 73 buildings, affecting operations across its global network. The company’s shares saw a slight decrease in value during pre-market trading.

IN FULL:

UPS plans to cut 20,000 positions this year as part of a strategy to address lower delivery volumes from its major client, Amazon. The logistics giant, which employs approximately 490,000 people across more than 200 countries, announced the downsizing as a measure to consolidate its operations and reduce expenses. The decision was verified through a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

In addition to the workforce reduction, UPS will shutter 73 facilities by mid-2025. This structural change aligns with a previous agreement with Amazon to decrease delivery volumes by over half in late 2026. These developments underscore the significant impact of Amazon’s evolving logistics capabilities on UPS, reflecting broader trends affecting large shipping companies worldwide.

Despite the substantial operational adjustments, market responses showed minimal impact, with UPS shares dropping 0.6 percent before markets opened. However, such organizational changes could have deeper ramifications for the company’s financial health and employee base as they unfold.

The decision highlights ongoing challenges in the logistics sector, where companies must continuously adjust to shifting demands and partnerships. UPS taking measures to streamline its operations could signal further shifts by Amazon and other partners in sourcing and supply chain strategies. The coming months will reveal how such strategies affect UPS and its workforce on a broader scale.

Image by JasonVogel.

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April 29, 2025
Economy
World

Amazon Caves on Tariff Pricing Policy After Trump Accuses E-Commerce Giant of ‘Hostile’ Tactics.

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❓What Happened: Amazon reportedly planned to add the estimated cost of tariffs to its product prices. The Chinese online retailer Temu has made a similar move, though the foreign e-commerce company admits in fine print that the additional ‘tariff’ costs do not directly correlate to the U.S. import duties on Chinese goods. However, Amazon now claims that the tariff estimates were being considered only by Amazon Haul and were “never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Jeff Bezos, Amazon, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” said Karoline Leavitt after the plan to add tariff estimates to pricing was initially reported. Amazon responded later Tuesday morning, claiming: “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision could have affected Amazon’s political relations, though the abrupt announcement by the e-commerce giant that they would not pursue the pricing change may cool tensions with the White House.

IN FULL:

Tensions between the White House and Amazon briefly intensified after President Donald J. Trump criticized the retailer’s reported plans to display estimated tariff costs on its product listings. The scheme prompted a sharp reaction from the Trump administration, leading to accusations of political motivations and foreign interference.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue in a statement on Tuesday, April 29. According to Leavitt, President Trump viewed Amazon’s move as “hostile and political,” labeling it an attack on American interests. The conflict arose after anonymous sources leaked to the corporate media Amazon’s intention to highlight the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from countries like China.

Leavitt did not hold back in her criticism of the online retail giant, questioning Amazon’s timing. “Why didn’t Amazon take similar actions during the Biden administration when inflation rates soared to record levels?” she queried, suggesting that Amazon’s motives might have partisan underpinnings.

Further, Leavitt raised concerns over Amazon’s international affiliations, hinting that the company’s collaborations could potentially serve as channels for foreign narratives. She referenced reports by Reuters indicating Amazon’s partnerships with entities linked to Chinese propaganda efforts. Notably, the Chinese online retailer Temu has made a similar move, though the foreign e-commerce company admits in fine print that the additional ‘tariff’ costs do not directly correlate to the U.S. import duties on Chinese goods.

Following the firm White House response, Amazon clarified its pricing policy, stating: “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

Despite the White House’s strong response and past friction between Trump and Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, the technology billionaire has recently been more communicative and open to accommodating the White House, possibly explaining the apparent backtrack.

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April 22, 2025
News
Politics

Elon Musk Didn’t Contribute to Trump’s Inauguration.

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❓What Happened: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk did not contribute financially to Donald Trump’s inauguration events, despite being a vocal supporter during his campaign.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, Trump’s inaugural committee, and companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., during Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025; FEC filing released on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Donations to an inaugural committee are not subject to any contribution amount limitations. In addition, an inaugural committee may accept donations from corporations and labor organizations,” state FEC rules.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s inauguration raised $239 million from donors, exceeding previous records, highlighting potential Silicon Valley support for Trump’s presidency.

IN FULL:

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, notably abstained from making financial contributions toward the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, as shown in recent documentation by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This reveals a departure from Musk‘s previous backing of Trump’s campaign, during which he reportedly expended over $250 million in support of the America First leader. According to the FEC filing, which was released by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, donations exceeded $239 million, setting a new record for inaugural fundraising in January.

Several major technology companies, including Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram), Nvidia, and Amazon, contributed substantially, each offering at least $1 million toward the inaugural events. However, the reason for Musk’s absence from the list of inaugural donors is not yet known.

While Musk did attend the inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025, and delivered an address at a major rally later that evening, his financial absence is noteworthy given his prior involvement in the presidential campaign. Notably, a number of major Silicon Valley firms contributed to the second Trump inauguration despite the tech industry’s hostility—and in some cases outright opposition—to Trump’s agenda in the past.

The inaugural committee is not obligated to disclose expenditure specifics or remaining funds until it submits its tax return in 2026. Also of note, the FEC rules state: “Donations to an inaugural committee are not subject to any contribution amount limitations. In addition, an inaugural committee may accept donations from corporations and labor organizations.”

Image by Wcamp9. 

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April 3, 2025
Media
News

Amazon Enters TikTok Acquisition Fray as Sale Deadline Nears.

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❓What Happened: The U.S. set an April 5 deadline for TikTok to sell or face a ban, with Amazon entering the bidding.

👥 Who’s Involved: Amazon, the Trump administration, ByteDance (TikTok’s Chinese parent company), AppLovin, Oracle, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The situation is unfolding in the U.S., with a key deadline on April 5.

💬 Key Quote: President Trump mentioned there are multiple potential buyers and expressed a desire to keep TikTok operational.

⚠️ Impact: The ban on TikTok could proceed if no sale is agreed upon and approved by both the Trump administration and China.

IN FULL:

A number of Big Tech giants are intensifying their efforts to acquire the social media app TikTok as the deadline for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest itself from the company or face its banning in the United States looms. While Oracle has long been considered the most likely serious buyer to acquire TikTok, the multinational software company may now face significant competition, with Amazon showing interest in purchasing the app. President Donald J. Trump has mandated that TikTok must be sold to a non-Chinese company by April 5, or the app will be banned from being downloaded in the United States due to national security concerns.

It is believed that Amazon has submitted a formal letter to President Trump declaring intent to enter the acquisition race. However, while Oracle and Amazon stand out as having the requisite capital to make significant bids to acquire TikTok, several other potential buyers could still make a last-minute push for ownership.

Notably, mobile tech firm AppLovin has placed a bid to acquire TikTok. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Leary—a Canadian businessman and host of the popular Shark Tank reality show—joined with real estate developer and Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt to make a purchase offer this past January.

President Trump recently stated that he would prefer TikTok to remain available to U.S. users, suggesting he hopes one of the potential buyers will be able to reach a deal with ByteDance to acquire the app. Additionally, Trump indicated that he may extend the timeframe for TikTok’s sale if negotiations need more time.

Image by Steve Jurvetson.

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February 6, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Politics
TECH

Bannon: Tech ‘Bro-ligarchs’ Surrendered to Trump on Inauguration Day.

War Room host Stephen K. Bannon believes that the tech oligarchs who control America’s major technology firms surrendered to President Donald J. Trump at his inauguration, likening their appearance to the signing of surrender by the Japanese in World War II. Speaking with British journalist Steven Edginton,  Bannon explains: “It was like [Trump] wanted to re-create the deck of the battleship Missouri in Tokyo harbor in 1945, with MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz taking the surrender of the imperial high command.”

“These were the bro-ligarchs that essentially came to sign a surrender document,” he said, noting that the bosses of Meta, Amazon, Google, and others had opposed President Trump during his first term.

Bannon contends that Trump wanted the whole world to see Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Apple’s Tim Cook on display and to know he had beaten them. According to Bannon, once Pennsylvania was called for Trump on November 5—securing him the presidency—the tech oligarchs had their “road to Damascus” moment, referencing the story of Saint Paul in the Book of Acts.

“They all realized they really weren’t progressive Democrats that were in partnership to suppress the MAGA movement, they were actually populist-nationalists,” he said. “They had the revelation, and they couldn’t wait to get to Mar-a-Lago.”

Along with attending the inauguration, some of the Big Tech firms have made steps to distance themselves from the past. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg is ending biased “fact-checking” across Meta’s platforms, which include Facebook and Instagram.

WATCH:

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War Room host Stephen K. Bannon believes that the tech oligarchs who control America's major technology firms surrendered to President Donald J. Trump at his inauguration, likening their appearance to the signing of surrender by the Japanese in World War II. Speaking with British journalist Steven Edginton,  Bannon explains: "It was like [Trump] wanted to re-create the deck of the battleship Missouri in Tokyo harbor in 1945, with MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz taking the surrender of the imperial high command." show more
December 19, 2024
Economy
Politics

Thousands of Amazon Workers on Strike with Backing of the Teamsters.

Thousands of package delivery workers affiliated with seven Amazon facilities nationwide began strike actions on Thursday morning with backing from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. While the union reported widespread participation, the exact number of employees involved remains unclear.

Despite the strike, Amazon stated its distribution centers are expected to maintain regular operations. However, striking workers have been able to disrupt the departure of delivery trucks. At a New York Amazon facility, trucks have only been allowed to leave every ten to 15 minutes.

The striking workers are employed by third-party companies contracted by Amazon for package deliveries. Amazon’s stance is that it is not required to engage in collective bargaining with these drivers, as they are not direct employees of the company. However, both the union and the participating workers argue that Amazon influences their working conditions sufficiently to necessitate negotiations.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has undertaken investigations into these labor disputes. At least one complaint has been issued by the NLRB, designating the drivers as Amazon employees and alleging the company’s non-compliance with bargaining obligations is a legal violation.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s refusal to engage directly with workers echoes broader challenges within the gig economy, where worker classification has become a contentious issue.

Data shows that Teamsters members overwhelmingly backed President-elect Donald J. Trump during the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s incoming Department of Labor (DOL) could significantly impact the relations between the Teamsters and Amazon in the future.

Meanwhile, the massive online retailer faces other headwinds that could radically change its business. Amazon is currently fighting a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state and local lawsuits as well.

Image by Matt Michalski.

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Thousands of package delivery workers affiliated with seven Amazon facilities nationwide began strike actions on Thursday morning with backing from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. While the union reported widespread participation, the exact number of employees involved remains unclear. show more
December 4, 2024
Crime
News

DC Lawsuit Alleges Amazon Halted Fast Deliveries to Predominantly Black Areas.

The District of Columbia has initiated a lawsuit against the e-commerce giant Amazon, alleging the company secretly halted its fastest delivery service in two predominantly black Washington neighborhoods while continuing to charge these residents for Prime membership. Filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court, the complaint claims Amazon’s Prime service, which costs $139 annually or $14.99 monthly, does not provide its promised expedited deliveries, including one-day, two-day, and same-day options to a large swath of Northeast and Southeast Washington, D.C.—both areas which have seen waves of retail thefts and violent crime, including deadly carjackings.

Instead of using its fast delivery network of vehicles and drivers, Amazon outsources deliveries to third-party services such as UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. Though Amazon cited driver safety issues for this change, the suit argues the company failed to inform affected Prime members in those neighborhoods, resulting in slower deliveries.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb highlighted the financial implications: “Amazon is charging tens of thousands of hard-working Ward 7 and 8 residents for an expedited delivery service it promises but does not provide.” Schwalb stressed that while operational changes are within Amazon’s rights, the company cannot devalue memberships based on geographical distinctions.

The lawsuit points out that the two neighborhoods have around 50,000 Prime members, making up nearly half the local population. These residents have reportedly ordered over 4.5 million packages in the last four years, heavily relying on Amazon due to fewer local services and retail outlets. Before the alleged exclusion, over 72 percent of Prime packages in these areas were delivered within two days, dropping to 24 percent afterward. Conversely, other city areas maintained a 75 percent two-day delivery rate.

District officials are seeking court intervention to prevent deceptive practices by Amazon and to secure financial restitution for affected members, alongside civil penalties. This legal action follows a previous antitrust suit against Amazon filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 state attorneys general.

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The District of Columbia has initiated a lawsuit against the e-commerce giant Amazon, alleging the company secretly halted its fastest delivery service in two predominantly black Washington neighborhoods while continuing to charge these residents for Prime membership. Filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court, the complaint claims Amazon's Prime service, which costs $139 annually or $14.99 monthly, does not provide its promised expedited deliveries, including one-day, two-day, and same-day options to a large swath of Northeast and Southeast Washington, D.C.—both areas which have seen waves of retail thefts and violent crime, including deadly carjackings. show more
germany
September 5, 2024
Jack Montgomery
TECH

Amazon, Facebook, Google Ad Partner Admits Listening to You Through Your Smartphone.

Marketing corporation Cox Media Group (CMG), a partner of Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft‘s Bing, admits eavesdropping on smartphone owners through their microphones, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze their conversations and place targeted ads.

In a pitch deck to advertisers, CMG boasts, “Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers.”

A now-deleted blog post by CMG from November 2023 is even more explicit, explaining:

“Imagine a world where you can read minds. One where you know the second someone in your area is concerned about mold in their closet, where you have access to a list of leads who are unhappy with their current contractor, or know who is struggling to pick the perfect fine dining restaurant to propose to their discerning future fiancé. This is a world where no pre-purchase murmurs go unanalyzed, and the whispers of consumers become a tool for you to target, retarget, and conquer your local market. It’s not a far-off fantasy-it’s Active Listening technology, and it enables you to unlock unmatched advertising efficiency today so you can boast a bigger bottom line tomorrow.”

CMG assures readers this “Active Listening” surveillance is not a crime. “We know what you’re thinking. Is this even legal?” the post posits.

“The short answer is: yes. It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included.”

Following reports on its CMG’s activities, Google has said it is dropping the firm as a partner. Amazon and Facebook parent company Meta are reviewing their relationship with CMG, with the latter insisting, “Meta does not use your phone’s microphone for ads and we’ve been public about this for years.”

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg admits to covering his computers’ cameras and microphones with tape, suggesting he is aware they are vulnerable to would-be eavesdroppers.

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Marketing corporation Cox Media Group (CMG), a partner of Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft's Bing, admits eavesdropping on smartphone owners through their microphones, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze their conversations and place targeted ads. show more