WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Post underwent sweeping staff reductions Wednesday, cutting roughly one-third of its newsroom, a move widely described as a “bloodbath” for the storied publication. Approximately 300 journalists and staff members lost their jobs as the newspaper, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, grapples with declining subscriptions and revenue.
While executives cite financial pressures as the primary driver for the cuts, many observers believe Bezos’s personal ideological shift is the key factor. After initially promising a hands-off approach following his 2013 purchase of the Post, Bezos intervened dramatically in late October 2024 by blocking the paper’s planned endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, favoring Donald Trump. This decision reportedly triggered a mass exodus of over 200,000 subscribers, significantly impacting the paper’s already strained finances.
Reporters had anticipated the cuts and pleaded with readers not to punish the newsroom for Bezos’s decisions. Amanda Morris, a disability reporter who resigned last May, warned in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “Please don’t cancel your subscriptions. It won’t impact Bezos — it hurts journalists and makes another round of layoffs more likely.” Her prediction proved tragically accurate.
The layoffs are part of a broader pattern of rightward shifts at major news organizations linked to billionaire owners. The Los Angeles Times experienced a similar backlash and subsequent staff reductions after its owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, declined to endorse Harris in 2024. CBS News also saw cuts following a takeover by David Ellison and the appointment of conservative commentator Bari Weiss.
The Washington Post’s restructuring included the complete shuttering of its sports desk and books section, significant cuts to its international coverage, and reductions in local reporting. The Cairo bureau was entirely eliminated, along with all Middle East editors and correspondents, and the Ukraine bureau was also reportedly axed. Reporter Lizzie Johnson, reporting from the front lines in Ukraine, learned of her layoff while lacking basic necessities like heat and running water.
Bezos’s actions appear increasingly aligned with currying favor with the Trump administration. Amazon donated $1 million to Trump’s 2025 presidential inaugural committee, and Bezos himself attended the inauguration alongside other tech billionaires. Bezos publicly praised Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after a visit to his Blue Origin spaceport, highlighting a $2 billion Space Force contract awarded to the company.
The timing of these events is also notable. Just days before the layoffs, Amazon debuted a documentary about Melania Trump, reportedly paying the former First Lady around $28 million. This has raised questions about whether the film was intended as a gesture of goodwill towards the former president.
Critics argue that Bezos is prioritizing his business interests and political alignment over the integrity of the Washington Post. Former editor David Maraniss reportedly told The New Yorker that Bezos initially purchased the paper to enhance his public image, but has since lost interest in supporting independent journalism. “I don’t think… he gives a flying fuck,” Maraniss said.
The cuts at the Washington Post underscore the vulnerability of news organizations to the whims of wealthy owners and the growing threat to independent journalism. As Bezos continues to pursue his business and political goals, the future of one of America’s most influential newspapers remains uncertain.
