Bezos Slashes Hundreds of Jobs at The Washington Post

Layoffs and subscriber losses raise questions about the billionaire's motives for owning the legendary newspaper

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, has overseen the layoff of over 300 journalists and the cancellation of over 300,000 reader subscriptions at the legendary publication. Bezos has been accused of using the Post to produce content designed to appease former President Donald Trump, including a $40 million documentary about Melania Trump, even as the Post's reputation for independent journalism has suffered.

Why it matters

Bezos' actions at the Post raise questions about the motivations of billionaires who purchase media outlets, especially when those actions appear to undermine the publications' core missions. The Post's layoffs and subscriber losses also highlight the challenges facing the news industry as it navigates a polarized political landscape and the economic pressures of the digital age.

The details

Bezos purchased the Post in 2013, but his recent decisions have been widely criticized. The $40 million documentary about Melania Trump, which premiered just before the Post announced mass layoffs, is seen as an attempt to curry favor with former President Trump. Meanwhile, Bezos' decision to shift the Post's opinion section to be more conservative has backfired, leading to an exodus of reporters and a further decline in subscriber numbers.

  • In 2021, Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon, the company he founded.
  • In 2022, the Post announced over 300 layoffs, representing around 20% of its newsroom staff.
  • The $40 million Melania Trump documentary premiered in early 2026, just before the layoff announcement.

The players

Jeff Bezos

The founder of Amazon and the owner of The Washington Post since 2013.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has been critical of The Washington Post's coverage of his administration.

Marty Baron

The former editor-in-chief of The Washington Post, who criticized Bezos' decisions regarding the newspaper.

Kara Swisher

A prominent tech journalist who reportedly expressed interest in purchasing The Washington Post from Bezos.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary, who was reportedly seen with Bezos at a Blue Origin facility on the day of the Post layoffs.

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What they’re saying

“It was 'near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.'”

— Marty Baron, Former editor-in-chief, The Washington Post (The Verge)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how The Washington Post will recover from the layoffs and subscriber losses, and whether Bezos will continue to use the newspaper to further his own political and business interests.

The takeaway

The Washington Post's struggles under Bezos' ownership highlight the challenges facing the news industry and the potential risks of billionaires purchasing media outlets. The layoffs and subscriber losses raise concerns about the preservation of independent journalism and the ability of the press to hold the powerful accountable.