Washington Post CEO Will Lewis Steps Down Immediately

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post announced Saturday that its CEO and publisher, Will Lewis, is stepping down effective immediately, days after the newspaper implemented sweeping job cuts that drew widespread criticism.

Lewis, who had led the Post for two years, faced backlash from staff and subscribers over his management amid efforts to reverse financial losses. He is being replaced by Jeff D’Onofrio, the former Tumblr CEO and current Post chief financial officer.

The layoffs, announced Wednesday, affected hundreds of journalists—roughly 300 of the Post’s 800 staff, according to The New York Times. Entire departments, including the Middle East bureau and Kyiv correspondent, were eliminated, while sports, graphics, and local news teams were sharply reduced. The daily podcast Post Reports was also suspended.

Lewis, in a note to employees, described the departures as “difficult decisions … to ensure the sustainable future of The Post,” while Jeff Bezos emphasized that reader data guides the paper’s priorities. Critics, however, have highlighted past interference in editorial independence, including blocking a Democratic endorsement in 2024, which reportedly contributed to a $100 million revenue loss.

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Former Post executive editor Marty Baron called the cuts “among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations,” underscoring concerns about the paper’s ability to hold governments accountable.