Washington Post CEO Will Lewis Resigns Following Mass Layoffs

Washington, D.C. — Will Lewis, the publisher and CEO of the Washington Post, has announced his sudden resignation amid severe backlash following a series of massive layoffs at the publication. His departure comes just days after the newspaper cut 30 percent of its staff, which included nearly 300 journalists. Lewis will be replaced in the interim by Jeff D’Onofrio, the chief financial officer of the company.

A Controversial Tenure

Lewis, who took over as publisher and CEO in early 2024, faced substantial criticism during his two-year tenure for his management strategies as he attempted to reverse the publication's financial losses. His decision to layoff nearly a third of the staff, including more than 300 journalists, sparked a wave of outcry from subscribers, employees, and the public alike.

In a memo to the staff, Lewis addressed his resignation, stating, After two years of transformation at The Washington Post, now is the right time for me to step aside. He acknowledged the difficult decisions taken during his tenure to ensure a sustainable future for the publication.

Layoffs Under Scrutiny

The layoffs, which affected departments across the board, drew particular attention to sports and local journalists, as well as overseas reporters. The move was framed as a painful restructuring necessary for the storied newspaper, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. However, critics have argued that the drastic cuts have undermined the resilience of America's democracy and the capacity for high-quality, nonpartisan news reporting.

The newspaper, which gained legendary status for its reporting during the Watergate scandal, has been grappling with the brutal industry headwinds faced by traditional media outlets in the United States. Unions representing employees condemned Lewis's legacy as an attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution and urged Bezos to reverse course.

Next Steps for Washington Post

Jeff D’Onofrio, who joined the paper as its chief financial officer in June 2025, has been appointed as its acting CEO. As the publication navigates its next steps under D'Onofrio's interim leadership, employees and subscribers alike will be closely monitoring the direction the paper will take, particularly in relation to its commitment to high-quality, nonpartisan journalism.

Lewis's abrupt departure marks a significant moment in the history of the Washington Post. His tenure, characterized by controversial management decisions and mass layoffs, has left the paper at a crossroads. The future direction of the publication remains uncertain, with many hoping for a renewed commitment to the journalistic ideals that have defined the institution.