Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Resigns After Major Layoffs
Will Lewis has resigned as CEO and publisher of Washington Post after significant layoffs affected approximately one-third of the staff. This decision comes just three days following a major restructuring within the organization.
Resignation Announcement
Lewis announced his resignation in a note sent to employees, which he shared on social media. He mentioned that his departure comes at the right moment after two years of transformation. Lewis stated that challenging decisions were necessary to assure the sustainable future of the publication.
Role Transition
Following Lewis’s resignation, Jeff D’Onofrio has been appointed as the acting publisher. D’Onofrio, who has served as the Post’s chief financial officer since June 2025, previously held the position of CEO at Tumblr. His immediate promotion reflects a shift toward stabilizing the newspaper after recent upheavals.
Background on Layoffs
The layoffs were announced by executive editor Matt Murray during a Zoom call, which Lewis reportedly did not attend. This absence drew criticism from staff, emphasizing concerns about leadership during a critical period.
- Layoffs affected about one-third of the newsroom.
- Foreign news coverage was scaled back.
- Some sections of the paper, including sports, were shut down.
Comments on Leadership and Direction
Martin Baron, who served as executive editor from 2013 to 2021, criticized the paper’s current leadership. He pointed to several decisions that he felt negatively impacted the publication’s reputation, such as choosing not to endorse a presidential candidate before the pivotal 2024 election.
Baron also attributed some of the challenges faced by the Post to owner Jeff Bezos, suggesting a lack of focus on the newspaper compared to his other ventures, including Amazon and Blue Origin.
Future of Washington Post
The Washington Post has stated that these restructuring efforts aim to place the organization on a stronger footing. As user habits and technologies continue to evolve, the newspaper seeks to adapt and maintain high-quality, nonpartisan news for its audience.
El-Balad will continue to monitor developments at the Washington Post as the leadership and staffing changes unfold.
