Marty Baron, in his book "Confronting Power: Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post," reflects on Jeff Bezos's apprehensions that then-President Trump might retaliate against Amazon because of Bezos's ownership of the Washington Post. Baron recalls his mixed feelings regarding the newspaper's 2017 slogan, "Democracy Dies in Darkness," which he found to set a grim tone for the paper's mission. This sentiment is echoed now as civil rights attacks in the U.S. increase, with major news networks bowing to presidential pressures and Bezos actively restructuring the newsroom.

In the years following the adoption of this ominous slogan, Baron sees a chilling resemblance to the current political climate in the U.S. where civil liberties are increasingly under threat. He notes how Trump's administration has prompted media outlets, including major chains, to adapt to the pressure, pulling away from aggressive reporting that might provoke retaliation. As he critiques this trend, Baron underscores the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity and the role of the press in safeguarding democracy.

Baron highlights that Bezos, who once expressed his intense pride in supporting the Washington Post, now finds himself in a paradoxical situation where the very dynamism of the organization he championed appears to be threatened. Following significant job cuts that have affected more than a third of the newsroom, concerns arise about how these changes might affect the Post's ability to function independently and serve the public interest amidst increasing threats from political powers.