Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Resigns Amid Massive Layoffs

Mon Feb 09 2026 00:49:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Will Lewis steps down as publisher of the Washington Post just days after announcing significant staff cuts and layoffs of one-third of the newspaper's workforce.

In a shocking turn of events, Will Lewis has resigned from his role as publisher of the Washington Post, following the announcement of major layoffs affecting a third of the staff. The deep staff cuts include shuttering the sports section and significant reductions in other coverage areas. The acting publisher is Jeff D'Onofrio, who took over only last June. Lewis's short tenure has been fraught with challenges, including a controversial editorial shift and the departure of key personnel.

Will Lewis, publisher of the Washington Post, announced his resignation on Saturday, following the newspaper’s recent decision to lay off one-third of its workforce. In an email to the staff, he noted that 'difficult decisions have been taken to ensure the sustainable future of The Post.' Notably, both Lewis and billionaire owner Jeff Bezos were absent during a staff meeting about the layoffs, indicating a potential disconnect in leadership as the organization faces substantial challenges.

The Post's chief financial officer, Jeff D’Onofrio, has been appointed acting publisher and CEO, taking on this role just months after starting with the paper last June. Lewis’s time at the helm has been characterized as 'rocky,' with significant changes, including layoffs and a failed reorganization that resulted in the loss of top editor Sally Buzbee.

The publication has faced losses of tens of thousands of subscribers, linked to strategic shifts intended to realign editorial content towards a more conservative stance, including a decision to retract support for Kamala Harris during a critical election period. The recent layoffs, although anticipated, were deeper than expected and have led to the shutdown of the Post’s esteemed sports section and substantial reductions in foreign and metro news coverage, along with cuts to its photographic staff.