Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Resigns Amid Major Layoffs

Sun Feb 08 2026 05:45:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Will Lewis has announced his resignation as publisher of the Washington Post just days after significant staff reductions were revealed, raising questions about the newspaper's future direction under its current leadership.

Will Lewis, the publisher of the Washington Post, has stepped down following an announcement of layoffs that affected one-third of the newspaper's workforce. His resignation comes after a tumultuous tenure marked by financial struggles and editorial shifts. Chief Financial Officer Jeff D'Onofrio has been appointed as the acting publisher. The recent layoffs included significant cuts to the paper’s sports section, foreign coverage, and photography staff, exacerbating concerns over the Washington Post's future amidst changing editorial policies and subscriber losses under its billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos.

Will Lewis, the publisher of the Washington Post, announced on Saturday he is stepping down, just three days after the newspaper revealed it would lay off one-third of its staff. In an internal email, Lewis cited 'difficult decisions' aimed at ensuring the sustainable future of the publication.

Both Lewis and Jeff Bezos, the newspaper's billionaire owner, did not attend a staff meeting held this week during which the layoffs were discussed. The Post has seen a significant decline in its workforce and a notable drop in subscribers, particularly after a controversial editorial shift by the Bezos-led management.

Lewis, who previously held a major position at The Wall Street Journal, took over the Washington Post in January 2024. His leadership has been marred by a failed reorganization plan that resulted in the exit of former top editor Sally Buzbee, as well as significant layoffs that have now raised questions about the newspaper’s future.

Jeff D'Onofrio, who joined the Post only in June as the chief financial officer, has been named acting publisher and CEO following Lewis' departure. The recent cuts have included the closure of the Post's acclaimed sports section and reductions to both foreign and local coverage as the publication navigates its economic challenges and shifts in editorial stance.