Washington Post Publisher Resigns Amidst Deepening Crisis Following Massive Layoffs

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Washington Post is reeling from a dramatic leadership change as Publisher and CEO Will Lewis abruptly resigned in February 2026, mere days after the esteemed newspaper announced sweeping layoffs that impacted approximately one-third of its workforce. The departure of Lewis, who took the helm in January 2024 with a mandate to steer the Post towards profitability, caps a tumultuous period marked by significant financial losses, widespread staff reductions, and mounting internal dissent over the direction of the storied publication. The severe job cuts, described by some as an "absolute bloodbath," have sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the future of a news organization historically celebrated for its journalistic ambition and public service.

A Swift Exit Amidst Unprecedented Cuts

Will Lewis's resignation, announced on a Saturday, came hot on the heels of Wednesday's revelation that The Washington Post would eliminate nearly one-third of its total staff, affecting over 300 journalists from its 800-person newsroom. This unprecedented restructuring saw the outright closure of the sports department, drastic cutbacks to international bureaus and coverage, the dismantling of the books section, and a significant reduction in local news staff. Key foreign correspondents, including the Cairo bureau chief and New Delhi and Sydney bureau chiefs, were among those laid off, signaling a dramatic reorientation of the Post's global reach. Executive Editor Matt Murray, who announced the cuts during a virtual meeting, cited the necessity of these changes to secure the Post's future in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Lewis himself attributed his departure to having achieved "two years of transformation" at the Post, stating that it was the "right time" to step aside.

Years of Financial Strain and Strategic Shifts

The drastic measures implemented under Lewis's leadership are rooted in several years of significant financial challenges for The Washington Post. The newspaper reported a loss of $77 million in 2023, following a $100 million loss in 2024. This financial downturn coincided with a substantial decline in its digital audience and subscriber base. The Post's digital subscribers fell from 3 million in 2020 to 2.5 million by 2023, while unique monthly visitors plummeted from 101 million in 2020 to 50 million in 2023.

Prior to the massive February 2026 layoffs, the Post had already undergone several rounds of workforce reductions and voluntary buyouts. In January 2023, 20 newsroom employees were laid off. Later that year, voluntary separation packages were offered across various functions, leading to over 200 employees departing. Further cuts impacted 54 employees from the proprietary publishing software division in fall 2024 and approximately 4% of staff in advertising, marketing, and print operations in January 2025. These earlier reductions, however, did not involve the same breadth and depth of newsroom cuts as the February 2026 actions. Lewis had previously outlined a strategy emphasizing "great journalism, happy customers, and making money," including plans for new subscription tiers like Post Pro and Post Plus. However, the scale of the recent layoffs suggests these strategies alone were insufficient to stem the financial hemorrhage.

Internal Tumult and External Condemnation

The recent layoffs and Lewis's subsequent resignation ignited a firestorm of criticism both within and outside the Post. Many staffers described the environment as an "absolute bloodbath," expressing profound anger and despair over the erosion of the newspaper's journalistic capabilities. Former executive editor Marty Baron characterized the day of the layoffs as among the "darkest" in the paper's history, lamenting that the Post's ambitions would be "sharply diminished." Employees had reportedly appealed directly to owner Jeff Bezos to intervene and halt the planned cuts, but Bezos remained publicly silent, further fueling discontent.

Lewis's tenure was also marked by several high-profile controversies. He faced scrutiny for alleged attempts to influence news coverage related to his past involvement in a British phone-hacking scandal, reportedly clashing with former Executive Editor Sally Buzbee over the matter. Buzbee, who resigned in June 2024, reportedly viewed a proposed new editorial division role offered by Lewis as a demotion. Furthermore, owner Jeff Bezos's decision to overrule a planned endorsement of a presidential candidate in late 2024, coupled with a perceived shift in the opinion section towards a more conservative stance, led to hundreds of thousands of subscriber cancellations and further internal friction. Critics viewed these developments as undermining the Post's independence and historical commitment to robust, non-partisan journalism.

An Uncertain Future and Interim Leadership

In the immediate aftermath of Lewis's departure, Jeff D'Onofrio, who joined the Post as Chief Financial Officer in 2025, was named acting CEO and publisher. D'Onofrio, with a background at companies such as Google and Tumblr, now faces the daunting task of navigating the Post through its most significant crisis in decades. The challenges are multifaceted: stabilizing the paper's financial health, rebuilding shattered staff morale, and clearly defining the Post's journalistic identity and market position in an increasingly competitive and disrupted media landscape. The Post's stated aim is to achieve profitability within two years, a goal that necessitated the recent dramatic cuts.

The path forward remains fraught with uncertainty. The extensive layoffs have raised questions about the Post's capacity to maintain the scope and depth of its coverage, particularly in areas like international reporting and investigative journalism, which have historically defined its reputation. The immediate focus for D'Onofrio will be to restore confidence among staff, readers, and advertisers, while simultaneously demonstrating a viable and sustainable future for one of America's most influential news organizations. The Post stands at a critical juncture, balancing the imperative for financial viability with its enduring mission as a pillar of democratic discourse.