The stunning extortion claims made by Amazon and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos against the Trump-friendly National Enquirer tabloid have spotlighted a fierce behind-the-scenes media feud, taking place in an ever more toxic US political climate.

The story recounted by Bezos — the world’s richest man — touches on political intrigue, sexual indiscretion, the murder of a Saudi journalist and bitter charges of media bias. The supermarket tabloid last month reported Bezos had an extramarital affair with a former news anchor, publishing a trove of private text messages.

The report appeared days after Bezos and his wife Mackenzie announced their divorce. That prompted Bezos to launch an investigation into the Enquirer, and how it was able to obtain such intimate material.