BUSINESS/DEFENSE/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Pentagon is slamming the brakes on its mega-competition to award a $10 billion cloud computing contract after President Donald Trump suggested the Defense Department might have rigged the contest in favor of Amazon, a frequent target of his criticism. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who assumed his post July 23, is now reviewing accusations of unfairness in the fiercely fought competition, the Pentagon announced Thursday [8-1-19], marking the president’s latest incursion into the arcane world of Defense Department contracting. Oracle has reportedly waged an aggressive lobbying campaign to push back on the competition, now pitting Amazon against Microsoft, including talking with members of Congress and preparing a graphic that made its way to the president’s desk.”
–Jacqueline Feldscher, “Pentagon puts $10B contract on hold after Trump swipe at Amazon,” Politico, August 1, 2019 5:35 pm