Will Lewis has officially stepped down as the publisher of the Washington Post, following the announcement of a significant restructuring that will see one-third of the newspaper's staff laid off. This announcement comes just three days after the layoffs were communicated to the staff, marking a critical juncture for the publication.
In an email to the staff, Lewis stated that difficult decisions had been made to ensure the Post's long-term sustainability. However, he, along with billionaire owner Jeff Bezos, did not attend the staff meeting that disclosed the layoffs, which added to the staff's concerns.
Jeff D’Onofrio, who has been with the Post since June 2024 as chief financial officer, will step in as the acting publisher and CEO. Lewis, who previously held a senior position at The Wall Street Journal before joining the Post, has faced a rocky tenure characterized by staff reductions and failed management strategies.
His leadership has been scrutinized following a loss of tens of thousands of subscribers, which coincided with a controversial shift in editorial direction under Bezos' leadership. The layoffs have led to the closure of the Post’s sports section and significant reductions in both foreign and local news coverage, as well as cuts to the photographic staff.
