Besides the general controversy over a newspaper of record declining to endorse a candidate for the first time in almost four decades, subscribers and online commentators alike were angered by Bezos’ reported involvement in the decision. More than that, there was the appearance of a tit-for-tat deal, with reports noting that Blue Origin had met with the former president the day that the publication said it would not make an endorsement.

“I would also like to be clear that no quid pro quo of any kind is at work here,” Bezos wrote, adding that the decision was made entirely internally. “Neither campaign nor candidate was consulted or informed at any level or in any way about this decision.”