Washington Post publisher Will Lewis steps down after layoffs

Lewis' departure comes three days after the newspaper announced it was laying off one-third of its staff.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Washington Post publisher Will Lewis announced on Saturday that he is stepping down, ending a troubled tenure at the newspaper. The announcement comes just three days after the Post said it was laying off one-third of its staff, including shutting down the sports section and eliminating the photography staff.

Why it matters

The layoffs and Lewis' departure are the latest challenges facing the Washington Post under the ownership of Jeff Bezos. The newspaper has seen widespread talent defections in recent years and a reorienting of its opinion section in a more conservative direction, which has led to a loss of tens of thousands of subscribers.

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. Lewis' initial choice to replace Buzbee, Robert Winnett, withdrew from the job after ethical questions were raised about both he and Lewis' actions while working in England. The current executive editor, Matt Murray, took over shortly thereafter.

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

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.

Matt Murray

The current executive editor of the Washington Post.

Robert Winnett

The initial choice to replace former top editor Sally Buzbee, who withdrew from the job after ethical questions were raised.

Sally Buzbee

The former top editor at the Washington Post.

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What they’re saying

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

— Will Lewis, Former Washington Post publisher (Washington Post)

“His legacy will be the attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution. But it's not too late to save The Post. Jeff Bezos must immediately rescind these layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future.”

— Washington Post Guild, Union representing Washington Post staff (Washington Post)

“The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity. Each and every day our readers give us a roadmap to success. The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.”

— Jeff Bezos (Washington Post)

“This is a challenging time across all media organizations, and The Post is unfortunately no exception. I've had the privilege of helping chart the course of disrupters and cultural stalwarts alike. All faced economic headwinds in changing industry landscapes, and we rose to meet those moments. I have no doubt we will do just that, together.”

— Jeff D'Onofrio, Washington Post Chief Financial Officer (Washington Post)

What’s next

The Washington Post Guild has called for Jeff Bezos to either rescind the layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future.

The takeaway

The departure of Will Lewis and the deep staff cuts at the Washington Post highlight the ongoing challenges facing the newspaper industry, particularly under the ownership of tech billionaires like Jeff Bezos. The Post's reputation and mission are at risk, and its future remains uncertain.