Washington Post publisher Will Lewis steps down after layoffs

Lewis' departure comes just days after the newspaper announced it was cutting one-third of its staff.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Washington Post publisher Will Lewis announced he is stepping down, ending a troubled tenure just three days after the newspaper said it was laying off one-third of its staff. Lewis cited the need for 'transformation' at the Post as the reason for his departure, and the paper's chief financial officer, Jeff D'Onofrio, was appointed as temporary publisher.

Why it matters

The layoffs and Lewis' departure come amid a turbulent time for the Washington Post, which has faced talent defections, subscriber losses, and a reorientation of its opinion section under owner Jeff Bezos. The cuts have led to calls for Bezos to either increase his investment in the Post or sell it to someone who will take a more active role.

The details

Lewis, a former top executive at The Wall Street Journal, took over as Post publisher in January 2024. His tenure has been rocky, marked by layoffs and a failed reorganization plan that led to the departure of former top editor Sally Buzbee. The latest round of layoffs resulted in the shutdown of the Post's sports section, the elimination of its photography staff, and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.

  • On February 8, 2026, Will Lewis announced he is stepping down as Washington Post publisher.
  • On February 5, 2026, the Washington Post announced it was laying off one-third of its staff.

The players

Will Lewis

The former publisher of The Washington Post who is stepping down after a troubled tenure.

Jeff Bezos

The billionaire owner of The Washington Post who has faced criticism for his handling of the newspaper, including ordering a pullback from a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential campaign and reorienting the opinion section in a more conservative direction.

Jeff D'Onofrio

The chief financial officer of The Washington Post who was appointed as temporary publisher after Lewis' departure.

Martin Baron

The Washington Post's first editor under Bezos, who condemned his former boss this week for attempting to curry favor with President Donald Trump and called what has happened at the newspaper 'a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.'

Sally Buzbee

The former top editor of The Washington Post who departed the newspaper amid Lewis' failed reorganization plan.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The institution could not have had a better owner.”

— Will Lewis, Former Publisher (The Washington Post)

“This is a challenging time across all media organizations, and The Post is unfortunately no exception.”

— Jeff D'Onofrio, Temporary Publisher (The Washington Post)

“During my tenure, difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post so it can for many years ahead publish high-quality nonpartisan news to millions of customer each day.”

— Will Lewis, Former Publisher (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The Washington Post's board of directors will likely begin a search for a new permanent publisher to replace Will Lewis.

The takeaway

The departure of Will Lewis and the deep staff cuts at the Washington Post highlight the ongoing challenges facing the newspaper industry, as legacy media outlets like the Post grapple with declining subscriber numbers, talent defections, and pressure from owners to shift their editorial direction.