Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Resigns After Two Years

Chief Financial Officer Jeff D'Onofrio named as acting publisher and CEO

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Washington Post publisher Will Lewis has stepped down after a two-year tenure marked by buyouts and shrinking coverage. Chief Financial Officer Jeff D'Onofrio will succeed him as acting publisher and CEO, according to memos sent to Post staff.

Why it matters

The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos since 2013, has faced challenges in recent years, including layoffs of hundreds of journalists. The change in leadership comes as the Post navigates a shifting media landscape and seeks to secure its legacy and business.

The details

Will Lewis' resignation comes after a two-year tenure as publisher, during which the Post underwent significant changes including buyouts and coverage cuts. Jeff D'Onofrio, the Post's Chief Financial Officer, will take over as acting publisher and CEO. D'Onofrio has held leadership roles at tech companies like Raptive, Tumblr, Yahoo, and Google.

  • On Saturday, Will Lewis stepped down as publisher of the Washington Post.
  • On Wednesday, the Post laid off hundreds of journalists, many covering foreign affairs.

The players

Will Lewis

Former publisher of the Washington Post who stepped down after a two-year tenure.

Jeff Bezos

Owner of the Washington Post since 2013.

Jeff D'Onofrio

Chief Financial Officer of the Washington Post who will succeed Will Lewis as acting publisher and CEO.

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What they’re saying

“The Post's resolute commitment to writing the first rough draft of history anchors and imprints its future. I am honored to become part of charting that future and to take the lead in securing both the legacy and business of this fierce, storied American institution.”

— Jeff D'Onofrio, Acting Publisher and CEO, The Washington Post (businessinsider.com)

“The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus. Jeff, along with Matt and Adam, are positioned to lead The Post into an exciting and thriving next chapter.”

— Jeff Bezos (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The Washington Post's new leadership under Jeff D'Onofrio will be tasked with charting the newspaper's future and securing its legacy in the evolving media landscape.

The takeaway

The change in leadership at the Washington Post comes at a critical time, as the newspaper navigates challenges including layoffs and a shifting industry. The new acting publisher, Jeff D'Onofrio, will be responsible for steering the Post towards a more sustainable and thriving future.