Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Steps Down After Layoffs

The departure comes just days after the newspaper announced it would lay off one-third of its staff.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Washington Post publisher Will Lewis announced he is stepping down from his role, ending a troubled tenure at the newspaper. The announcement comes just three days after the Post said it would lay off one-third of its staff, including shutting down the sports section and eliminating the photography department.

Why it matters

The Washington Post is one of the most prominent newspapers in the United States, and these layoffs and leadership changes signal significant challenges facing the industry as a whole. The Post's owner, Jeff Bezos, has also faced criticism for his involvement in the newspaper's editorial direction.

The details

In an email to staff, Lewis said that after two years of transformation, 'now is the right time for me to step aside.' The Post's chief financial officer, Jeff D'Onofrio, was appointed temporary publisher. Neither Lewis nor Bezos participated in the meeting with staff announcing the layoffs, which were deeper than expected and resulted in the shutdown of the sports section and elimination of the photography staff.

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

The players

Will Lewis

The former publisher of The Washington Post who is stepping down from his role.

Jeff Bezos

The billionaire owner of The Washington Post who has faced criticism for his involvement in the newspaper's editorial direction.

Jeff D'Onofrio

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

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What they’re saying

“now is the right time for me to step aside.”

— Will Lewis, Former Publisher (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The Washington Post's board of directors will likely begin a search for a permanent replacement for Will Lewis as publisher.

The takeaway

The leadership change and deep staff cuts at the Washington Post reflect the ongoing challenges facing the newspaper industry, as publishers grapple with declining print readership, competition from digital media, and the influence of powerful owners like Jeff Bezos.