Will Lewis Resigns as Washington Post CEO After Mass Layoffs

Washington Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis has resigned, abruptly stepping down on Saturday, February 7, 2026, after a tumultuous two-year tenure marked by Washing Post controversy and financial struggles.

His departure came just days after the newspaper, owned by Jeff Bezos, implemented massive layoffs at the American Newspaper, affecting approximately one-third of its staff—including over 300 journalists—in a bid to address ongoing multimillion-dollar annual losses and achieve long-term sustainability.

In a brief email to staff, Lewis described his time as “two years of transformation” and stated that “difficult decisions” had been necessary to secure the paper’s future and commitment to high-quality, nonpartisan journalism, while thanking Bezos for his support; he did not reference the newsroom directly.

Jeff D’Onofrio, the chief financial officer who joined the Post in 2025, has been appointed as acting publisher and CEO in the interim, as the storied outlet grapples with widespread criticism over the cuts and leadership turmoil.