WASHINGTON – Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post, on Thursday described as "dangerous" the criticism of President Donald Trump against journalists, saying he would still defend the role of the media in democracy.

Bezos, whose companies are frequently the target of Trump's criticism, did not mention Trump by name, but attacked the president's attacks on the media.

"It's a mistake for an elected official, in my opinion – I do not think it's a very general opinion – to attack the media and the reporters," said David Rubenstein at a press conference. interview at the Economic Club. from Washington, DC

Trump has repeatedly accused legitimate journalism of being "false news". He also blatantly accused Bezos of using postal ownership as a means of pressure on Amazon's behalf, which he says does not pay enough taxes.

"I defend the post," said Bezos. "I do not feel the need to defend Amazon."

Mr. Bezos said that public figures should get used to bad titles as a natural part of attention.

Rubenstein asked Bezos when he was directly discussing Bezos's critics with the president.

"I will keep my conversations with the president for myself," he said. "Yes, I had a few conversations with him."

Related: An Amazon HQ2 calendar

Bezos made its appearance in Washington amid speculation that D.C., northern Virginia or southern Maryland were among the top candidates for Amazon's second seat.

The company announced that the three zones, located inside the suburbs of the post office and a house that Bezos is building, are under consideration for what Amazon has called HQ2. The head office will have some 50,000 jobs.

Bezos refused to provide clues on the process.

"We have made tremendous progress," he said. "The team is working hard on that."

Bezos also said:

• Blue Origin, its space company, has a budget of nearly $ 1 billion this year.

• His title as the richest person in the world was not a goal of life. "I can assure you that I have never looked for this title – it was good to be the second richest person in the world – it worked well," he said.

• He is an Amazon customer and the company does not always receive his order properly. "Yes, I sometimes have problems," he said. When that happens, he said he was trying to tackle the root of the problem.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter, @NathanBomey.

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