President-elect Donald Trump expressed openness to the idea of privatizing the US Postal Service during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He stated that privatization is a concept that has garnered support over time and that his administration is considering it as the agency faces significant financial losses.
Trump's remarks followed a meeting between him, his advisers, and US Postmaster Louis DeJoy at Mar-a-Lago to address the Postal Service's financial challenges. During the meeting, DeJoy outlined the financial reforms implemented by the Postal Service to improve its financial situation.
The prospect of privatizing the USPS has gained traction among Trump allies seeking to reduce government spending. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has influence with Trump, has endorsed the idea of privatization.
However, there are concerns within the Postal Service regarding the potential impact of privatization on mail delivery to rural areas and the public's trust in the agency. Some fear that privatization could compromise the USPS's ability to serve all communities effectively.
In response to inquiries about the meeting at Mar-a-Lago, a USPS spokesperson emphasized that engaging with the incoming administration during the transition period is a standard practice for the agency as part of the executive branch.