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Washington Post CEO steps down after workforce cuts
The Washington Post announced on Sunday that its chief executive, William Lewis, is leaving the company, just days after the newspaper reduced its staff by a third and scaled back key coverage areas.
Leadership transition amid restructuring
In a memo to employees, Lewis stated his departure was timely, acknowledging that "difficult decisions" had been necessary to secure the newspaper's future. His exit follows the elimination of approximately one-third of the Post's workforce, including its entire sports and international news teams.
The Post confirmed that Jeff D'Onofrio, who joined as chief financial officer last year, will serve as acting publisher and CEO. D'Onofrio previously held executive roles at media and technology firms.
Staff cuts spark outrage
The layoffs, announced on Wednesday, drew sharp criticism from journalists and subscribers. Protests erupted outside the Post's Washington, D.C., headquarters on Thursday, with demonstrators condemning the dismissal of the newspaper's Middle East bureau and its Kyiv-based correspondent covering Ukraine.
"These cuts rank among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Marty Baron, former Washington Post executive editor
Executive editor Matt Murray described the reductions as a step toward "stability," though the move has intensified scrutiny of the Post's ownership and editorial direction.
Controversies under Lewis and Bezos
Lewis, a former Dow Jones CEO and Wall Street Journal publisher, took the helm at the Post in 2023 amid financial challenges. His tenure was marked by efforts to reverse losses, but his strategies faced backlash from staff and readers.
Ownership decisions by Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who acquired the Post in 2013, have also drawn criticism. In 2024, Bezos broke with decades of tradition by refusing to endorse a presidential candidate, a move that led to the loss of tens of thousands of subscribers. The newspaper had previously backed Democratic candidates in most elections since the 1970s.
Further controversy arose last February when the Post's opinion editor resigned after Bezos directed the comment section to prioritize "personal liberties and free markets," excluding opposing viewpoints.
Uncertain future for historic newspaper
Lewis's resignation adds to a period of turbulence for the Post, which has grappled with staff reductions and editorial shifts in recent years. The newspaper's leadership and financial sustainability remain under close watch as it navigates an evolving media landscape.
