Washington Post cuts tech, science, and foreign coverage as it retreats from Silicon Valley

The Bezos-owned newspaper lays off over 300 staff, including reporters covering Amazon, AI, and international news

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:15pm

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The Washington Post has gutted its coverage of the tech industry and Silicon Valley as part of a sweeping set of layoffs that affected more than 300 people. The team covering tech, science, health, and business was cut by more than half, from 80 to 33 people, with the tech desk alone losing 14 reporters. The Post also closed its entire sports bureau and nearly annihilated its foreign reporting teams, including desks covering the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. The layoffs come as the tech industry and its powerful executives exert increasing influence over global politics and the economy.

Why it matters

The Washington Post's retreat from tech coverage comes at a critical time when the tech industry and its leaders are wielding outsized influence on the world's geopolitics and economy. By cutting its tech, science, and international reporting teams, the Bezos-owned newspaper is reducing its ability to hold these powerful figures and companies accountable.

The details

The layoffs at the Washington Post are part of a broader trend in the media industry, with a fragmented audience and changes to Google Search algorithms directing readers away from news outlets. However, the size, scope, and location of the cuts at the Post merit scrutiny, particularly given the shift in media ownership over the past 15 years. Bezos' acquisition of the Post in 2013 was met with skepticism and hope, and the newspaper has since faced challenges, including $100 million in losses in 2024 and declining web traffic. The layoffs come as Bezos, like other tech billionaires who have acquired media companies, has moved closer to the Trump administration, which could impact the Post's coverage.

  • The Washington Post cut its staff from 1,000 to under 800 last spring.
  • The Post suffered $100 million in losses in 2024, in part due to Bezos' directive to end presidential endorsements.
  • The Post's daily web visits declined from 22.5 million in January 2021 to around 3 million by mid-2024.

The players

Jeff Bezos

The owner of the Washington Post and the third-richest person in the world, with his wealth tied to his ownership of Amazon and Blue Origin.

Matt Murray

The executive editor of the Washington Post, who couched the layoffs as a reboot aimed at reaching readers and eventually profitability.

Will Lewis

The CEO of the Washington Post, who was reportedly not present to oversee the staff cuts and changes.

Pete Hegseth

The Secretary of Defense, whom Bezos spent time with in Florida, leading him on a tour of Blue Origin's facilities, while his newspaper was preparing to lay off the journalist who reported on Blue Origin.

Drew Harwell

The tech reporter who reported on the layoffs at the Washington Post, including the cuts to the tech desk.

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What they’re saying

“If anything, today is about positioning ourselves to become more essential to people's lives in what is becoming a more crowded, competitive, and complicated media landscape.”

— Matt Murray, Executive Editor, The Washington Post (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Washington Post's retreat from tech coverage at a time when the industry's influence is growing raises concerns about the newspaper's ability to hold powerful tech leaders and companies accountable. This move comes as other tech billionaires have acquired media companies, potentially impacting their coverage of the industry and its impact on society.