Washington Post Cuts Hundreds of Jobs in Major Layoffs

Resignation of publisher and CEO Will Lewis coincides with newsroom reductions amid industry challenges

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Washington Post has announced significant layoffs, impacting roughly a third of its newsroom, just days after the resignation of publisher and CEO Will Lewis. These events reflect broader challenges facing the news industry, including the shift to digital consumption, the erosion of traditional revenue streams, and the influence of owners and stakeholders on editorial direction.

Why it matters

The Washington Post's situation highlights the precarious state of the news industry, where even well-resourced publications like those owned by Jeff Bezos are not immune to the economic pressures and evolving media landscape. These changes raise questions about the future of journalism, the ability of news organizations to maintain editorial independence, and the strategies needed to ensure the sustainability of quality reporting.

The details

The layoffs at The Washington Post come after Jeff Bezos, the owner of the publication, tasked Will Lewis with reversing a decline in readership and substantial annual losses. Reports suggest that Lewis's departure and the layoffs were also influenced by Bezos's intervention in editorial decisions, including preventing the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. The changes have led to the appointment of Jeff D'Onofrio, the former chief financial officer, as the acting publisher and CEO, signaling a focus on financial stability and operational efficiency.

  • The Washington Post announced the layoffs on February 8, 2026.
  • Will Lewis resigned as publisher and CEO just days before the layoffs were announced.

The players

Will Lewis

The former publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, who resigned just before the layoffs were announced.

Jeff Bezos

The owner of The Washington Post, who tasked Will Lewis with addressing financial challenges and reportedly intervened in editorial decisions.

Jeff D'Onofrio

The former chief financial officer of The Washington Post, who has stepped into the role of acting publisher and CEO.

The Washington Post Guild

The union representing over 1,000 employees of The Washington Post, which has expressed dissatisfaction with Lewis's departure and is calling on Bezos to either reverse the layoffs or sell the newspaper.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Washington Post Guild is calling on Jeff Bezos to either reverse the layoffs or sell the newspaper to an owner committed to investing in its future.

The takeaway

The Washington Post's situation reflects the broader challenges facing the news industry, where even well-resourced publications are struggling to adapt to the changing media landscape and maintain editorial independence. The layoffs and leadership changes raise questions about the future of quality journalism and the strategies needed to ensure its sustainability.