The Washington Post is undergoing a dramatic leadership change just days after announcing significant staff reductions. Will Lewis, who took the helm as CEO and publisher in early 2024, is stepping down, effective immediately. The move comes as the publication grapples with declining readership and substantial financial losses, despite the deep pockets of owner Jeff Bezos.
Jeff D’Onofrio, previously the Chief Financial Officer of The Washington Post, will assume the role of interim CEO and publisher. He addressed staff in an email acknowledging the challenges facing the media industry and expressing confidence in the Post’s ability to navigate them. “This is a challenging time across all media organizations, and The Post is unfortunately no exception,” D’Onofrio wrote, adding that he had “no doubt we will do just that, together.”
Lewis’s tenure, which began with a mandate to reverse the Post’s financial trajectory, was marked by controversy. He faced criticism for his leadership style and, notably, for his absence during the announcement of the recent layoffs, which impacted approximately one-third of the newsroom. The cuts, announced on February 5, 2026, were particularly severe within the sports department, though all sections of the paper were affected.
The timing of Lewis’s departure is striking. It follows the abrupt resignation of Executive Editor Sally Buzbee in June 2024, after Lewis announced a restructuring of the newsroom. Buzbee’s exit signaled early tensions between the publisher and the editorial staff, foreshadowing the more substantial upheaval that followed.
Bezos, who acquired The Washington Post in 2013 for roughly $250 million, has publicly stated his commitment to the paper’s future. In a statement following the layoffs, Bezos, along with Matt Murray (Executive Editor) and Adam O’Neal (Opinion Editor), were positioned to lead the Post into “an exciting and thriving next chapter.” However, the rapid turnover in leadership raises questions about the long-term strategy for the publication.
The Washington Post, like many news organizations, is confronting a difficult economic landscape. The shift towards digital subscriptions has not fully offset the decline in print advertising revenue, and competition for audience attention is fierce. The Post’s reliance on Bezos’s financial support highlights the precarious position of even well-established media institutions in the current environment.
D’Onofrio’s appointment as interim CEO suggests a focus on financial stability and operational efficiency. His background as CFO positions him to address the immediate financial challenges facing the Post. However, the long-term success of the publication will depend on its ability to innovate and adapt to the evolving media landscape, while maintaining its reputation for high-quality journalism.
The layoffs and subsequent leadership change have sparked protests outside The Washington Post building, with demonstrators holding images of Jeff Bezos. These actions underscore the deep concern among staff and the broader public about the future of independent journalism.
The situation at The Washington Post is emblematic of the broader challenges facing the news industry. Declining revenues, coupled with the rise of digital platforms and social media, have created a difficult environment for traditional news organizations. The Post’s struggles, and the dramatic changes unfolding within its leadership, serve as a cautionary tale for the industry as a whole.
