Washington Post CEO Resigns After Layoffs

Resignation comes days after newspaper laid off hundreds of staffers.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Washington Post Chief Executive Officer Will Lewis has resigned, just days after the newspaper laid off several hundred employees in a move that sparked backlash against billionaire owner Jeff Bezos.

Why it matters

The Washington Post is one of the most prominent newspapers in the United States, and its leadership changes and staffing decisions are closely watched by the media industry and the public. The layoffs and CEO resignation raise questions about the newspaper's direction and Bezos' involvement in its operations.

The details

The layoffs at the Washington Post affected several hundred staffers, triggering a backlash against Bezos, the newspaper's owner and founder of Amazon. The resignation of CEO Will Lewis came just days after the layoffs were announced.

  • The Washington Post announced layoffs of several hundred staffers in early February 2026.
  • Will Lewis resigned as CEO of the Washington Post shortly after the layoffs were announced.

The players

Will Lewis

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Post.

Jeff Bezos

The billionaire owner of the Washington Post and founder of Amazon.

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What’s next

It remains to be seen how the Washington Post will move forward following the leadership change and staffing cuts. The newspaper's new CEO and Bezos' continued involvement in the publication will be closely watched by the media industry and the public.

The takeaway

The changes at the Washington Post highlight the challenges facing traditional media outlets as they navigate the digital landscape and the influence of powerful owners like Jeff Bezos. The newspaper's future direction and commitment to quality journalism will be closely scrutinized.