Washington Post Publisher William Lewis Resigns After Implementing Major Staff Reductions
In a significant development for the media industry, William Lewis has announced his departure as CEO and publisher of The Washington Post. His resignation comes just days after the newspaper implemented substantial layoffs, cutting approximately 300 staff members from its workforce.
Leadership Transition Amidst Organisational Restructuring
Lewis communicated his decision to step down through a staff memo on Saturday, February 7th, 2026. In his message, he acknowledged the recent staff reductions as a necessary measure for ensuring the Post's sustainable future, while expressing gratitude to owner Jeff Bezos for his support and leadership during his tenure.
The timing of Lewis's departure has raised eyebrows within the organisation, particularly as reporters noted his absence during and after the layoff announcement earlier in the week. Interestingly, Lewis was reportedly seen attending a pre-Super Bowl event around the same period, adding to the speculation surrounding his sudden exit.
Immediate Succession Plan Activated
With Lewis's resignation taking immediate effect, The Washington Post has moved swiftly to appoint an interim leader. Jeff D'Onofrio, the newspaper's current Chief Financial Officer and former CEO of social media platform Tumblr, will assume the roles of acting publisher and CEO.
This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for the Jeff Bezos-owned publication, which has been navigating the challenging landscape facing traditional media organisations. The combination of significant staff reductions and immediate leadership change suggests a period of substantial transformation for one of America's most prominent newspapers.
The media industry will be watching closely to see how D'Onofrio steers the organisation forward following these dramatic developments, particularly in balancing financial sustainability with journalistic excellence during this transitional phase.
