The head of Amazon accused the tabloid of blackmail

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has accused the owner of the National Enquirer of attempted blackmail over threats to publish "intimate photos" that the billionaire allegedly sent to his lover. The accusation has once again drawn attention to the private life of the world's richest man and is likely to serve as an impetus for a battle with a leading American tabloid, writes Reuters .

“Well, it got my attention, but not in the way they most likely hoped,” Bezos told the publication. “Any personal humiliation caused by the publication will have serious consequences, because here we are talking about much more serious things.”

Bezos and his wife announced last month that they were divorcing after 25 years of marriage. On the same day, the National Enquirer reported intimate text messages between Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, a former television personality he is believed to be dating. Shortly thereafter, Bezos, along with security consultant Gavin de Becker, began investigating the leak. De Becker told the media that the leak was politically motivated. Bezos, Amazon and the Washington Post, which he owns, were targets of bullying in US President Donald Trump's tweets. And the Washington Post has published many articles that have been scathingly critical of the president.