Washington Post to cut jobs, close desks
The Washington Post is facing significant layoffs, including desk closures and layoffs. Learn more about the impact of these changes.
Will Lewis, CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, has reportedly tendered his resignation.
Matt Visser, the paper’s White House bureau chief, shared a screenshot of an email received by newsroom staff in an X post on Saturday, Feb. 7.
“Everything – after two years of transformation at The Washington Post, now is the right time for me to step down,” Lewis said. “I would like to thank Jeff Bezos for his support and leadership throughout my tenure as CEO and publisher. This institution could not have had a better owner.”
The announcement comes days after the Washington, D.C.-based newsroom suffered major layoffs, causing hundreds of layoffs and the closure of multiple desks.
Jeff D’Onofrio, the chief financial officer of the paper owned by Jeff Bezos, will serve as the publisher and acting CEO, the Post reported, Reuters reported.
USA TODAY has reached out to The Washington Post for comment.
Washington Post CEO and publisher admits ‘difficult decision’
One-third of The Washington Post’s staff across all departments has been cut in layoffs, according to the Associated Press.
Journalists in the sports and book divisions, international correspondents and the Post Report podcast were all affected by recent job cuts. There will also be changes to the paper’s Washington area news department and editorial staff, Reuters reported.
Lewis, who has been in charge since January 2024, acknowledged the “difficult decisions” the post had to make in recent years to secure its future.
Amazon founder Bezos has been cutting costs in recent years. According to Reuters, the Post has offered voluntary separation packages to all division employees in 2023 as losses hit $100 million.
“During my tenure, difficult decisions were made to ensure a sustainable future for the Post, allowing us to publish high-quality, nonpartisan news to millions of customers every day for years to come,” Lewis said in a statement.
Contributor: Kate Perez, USA TODAY, Reuters
