The Washington Post has announced plans to lay off around 100 employees, equating to roughly 4% of its total staff, in a move aimed at mitigating mounting financial losses, according to multiple media reports. The layoffs, which were revealed on Tuesday, are expected to predominantly impact those in business roles within the renowned American newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
This decision comes as the publication faces fierce competition from various online platforms that are vying for limited advertising dollars amid an ongoing digital transformation of the news industry. In 2023 alone, the Washington Post reported a staggering loss of $77 million and a decline in readership for its website. Earlier this year, the newspaper also initiated a voluntary buyout program in a bid to reduce its workforce by 10%.
Adding to the turmoil at the publication, recent editorial choices have sparked controversy. Notably, Bezos shattered longstanding tradition by halting an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris prior to the 2024 presidential election. This move was intended to counteract the growing public sentiment that media outlets exhibit bias. In light of this decision, approximately 250,000 subscribers canceled their subscriptions in protest.
Since the announcement, a wave of departures has affected the newspaper’s team, including prominent figures like investigative journalist Josh Dawsey, who is heading to The Wall Street Journal. Managing editor Matea Gold is also moving to competitor The New York Times. The situation intensified over the weekend when Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes announced her resignation after her satirical work, which depicted Bezos and other business moguls paying homage to a statue of President-elect Donald Trump, was rejected for publication.
In the context of the recent political landscape, Bezos himself has made headlines as well. Just last month, he revealed that Amazon would contribute $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund alongside a similar in-kind donation. Furthermore, Bezos characterized Trump’s re-election as an "extraordinary political comeback" and recently was seen dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This ongoing mix of financial and editorial struggles has left the Washington Post navigating a challenging path.
