Will Lewis has abruptly stepped down as publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, just days after the newspaper laid off one-third of its staff, including hundreds of journalists. His departure marks a dramatic turn in the storied publication’s recent struggles, amid criticism of his leadership and the devastating impact of the cuts.
The announcement came on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with Lewis citing that it was ‘the right time for me to step aside’ after two years of transformation efforts. He thanked owner Jeff Bezos for his support, but his note did little to assuage the anger and frustration within the newsroom. The layoffs, which occurred earlier in the week, had already sparked outrage, as Lewis was notably absent during the process and was later seen attending a glitzy pre-Super Bowl event in San Francisco.
Lewis’s tenure was controversial from the start. Hired in late 2023 to revive the Post’s financial fortunes, he faced immediate scrutiny over allegations related to his past role in the UK phone-hacking scandal and attempts to influence media coverage. These ethical concerns, coupled with his ouster of executive editor Sally Buzbee, eroded trust among the staff and raised questions about his journalistic integrity.
The mass layoffs, which affected about 300 journalists, were a culmination of Lewis’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. Staffers described the cuts as brutal and poorly communicated, with Lewis failing to address the team directly. The contrast between his red-carpet appearance and the plight of laid-off reporters covering wars in harsh conditions highlighted the disconnect between leadership and the newsroom.
In response to Lewis’s departure, Jeff Bezos appointed Jeff D’Onofrio, the Post’s CFO and former CEO of Tumblr, as acting publisher and CEO. Bezos emphasized the Post’s ‘essential journalistic mission’ and expressed confidence in D’Onofrio, along with executive editor Matt Murray and opinion editor Adam O’Neal, to lead the paper into a new chapter. However, the transition was abrupt, with no mention of Lewis staying on to assist.
The Washington Post Guild, representing many employees, welcomed Lewis’s exit but called it ‘long overdue.’ The union criticized his legacy as ‘the attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution’ and urged Bezos to rescind the layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future. Staff celebrations upon hearing the news reflected the deep-seated resentment towards Lewis’s leadership.
Looking ahead, the Post faces significant challenges in rebuilding morale and stabilizing its operations. The layoffs have left the newsroom depleted, and the new leadership must navigate the aftermath while maintaining the paper’s reputation for high-quality journalism. Bezos’s commitment to the Post’s mission will be tested as he seeks to steer the institution towards sustainability without further alienating its core journalistic values.
The event underscores the broader pressures facing traditional media in the digital age, where financial constraints often clash with editorial independence. As The Washington Post moves forward, the focus will be on whether D’Onofrio and his team can restore trust and chart a path that honors the paper’s legacy while adapting to evolving market demands.
This summary is based on reports from CNN and NBC News, cross-referenced for accuracy and synthesized into a cohesive narrative.
