Jeff Bezos pledges $100 million to Obama’s presidential center

Jeff Bezos, the Amazon CEO, made headlines on Wednesday by announcing a $100 million donation to the Obama Foundation.

“The evidence is clear: Investments in advanced manufacturing, research and development, and technologies like 3-D printing will create millions of high-wage jobs and strengthen our nation’s security and prosperity in decades to come,” Bezos wrote in an open letter to former President Barack Obama, in which he described his enthusiasm for the Obama Foundation’s plans. “We have a responsibility to lead by example, not just take action. That’s why I’m donating $100 million to support the Obama Foundation.”

David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to Obama, responded to Bezos’ donation on Twitter. “When life hands you cancer (bad luck), Jeff Bezos’ generosity from Amazon can be very helpful,” he wrote.

Jeff Bezos announces $100M donation to the Obama Foundation, citing “irrefutable” evidence that high-skill manufacturing jobs are on the way https://t.co/t9DQpAHIQM pic.twitter.com/RsnW3vSGm7 — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 21, 2018

Earlier this month, Berkshire Hathaway and Intel announced plans to invest $300 million in the Obama Presidential Center. The two companies will work with the foundation, and with existing Obama Center partners, to learn how each firm can help improve the Obama Center.

“A lot of what we’re doing is kind of firsts,” said Alejandro Serpa, Intel’s senior vice president for global affairs, who attended the March 19 news conference at the White House.

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