Trump Is Going To Trust Bust Amazon Into 1000 Independent Companies
Donald Trump’s plan to use antitrust law to break up Amazon into a thousand independent companies stems from his long-standing criticism of the tech giant, which he has accused of monopolistic practices and unfair competition. During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly targeted Amazon, claiming it stifles small businesses and exerts undue influence over markets, from e-commerce to cloud computing. His proposal involves leveraging the Sherman Antitrust Act and other federal regulations to dismantle Amazon’s sprawling operations, including its retail platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), logistics network, and subsidiaries like Whole Foods. By fragmenting Amazon into numerous smaller entities, Trump argues the move would foster competition, reduce consumer prices, and curb the company’s dominance, which he claims harms the American economy.
The mechanics of such a breakup would be unprecedented in scale and complexity. Legal experts suggest the Department of Justice or Federal Trade Commission could initiate investigations, alleging Amazon’s practices—like predatory pricing or favoring its own products—violate antitrust laws. A court-ordered divestiture could then force Amazon to spin off AWS, its logistics arm, or even regional operations into standalone firms. Trump’s “thousand companies” rhetoric likely exaggerates for effect, but the goal would be to create smaller, competing entities that no longer control multiple sectors. Critics warn this could disrupt Amazon’s efficiencies, raise costs for consumers, and weaken its ability to compete globally against firms like China’s Alibaba. Supporters, however, see it as a bold strike against Big Tech’s unchecked power.
Politically, the plan taps into bipartisan frustration with tech monopolies, though it faces significant hurdles. Breaking up a company of Amazon’s size would require years of litigation, congressional support, and a judiciary aligned with aggressive antitrust enforcement. Trump’s personal grievances—such as his belief that Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos influenced negative coverage in The Washington Post—add a layer of controversy, raising questions about whether the policy is driven by vendettas rather than economic reasoning. While the idea resonates with populists and small business advocates, skeptics argue it could destabilize markets and innovation. The feasibility hinges on Trump’s ability to reshape federal agencies and secure judicial rulings, a process that could stretch beyond a single term.
