Washington Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis has announced his exit from the newspaper, days after carrying out widespread layoffs that cut about one-third of the staff.
In a message to employees, Lewis said he had taken “difficult decisions” during his tenure to ensure the long-term sustainability of the newspaper and its ability to deliver high-quality, nonpartisan journalism. His message was shared publicly by the Post’s White House bureau chief.
Lewis, a former Dow Jones CEO and Wall Street Journal publisher, was appointed in 2023 at a time when the Washington Post was facing heavy financial losses. He succeeded Fred Ryan, who had led the paper for nearly a decade.
Following Lewis’ departure, Chief Financial Officer Jeff D’Onofrio will serve as acting publisher and CEO. D’Onofrio, who joined the Post last year after working at companies like Google and Yahoo, told staff that future decisions would be driven by customer data and audience needs.
Employee unions welcomed Lewis’ exit, calling it “long overdue.” The Washington Post Guild accused him of damaging the institution and urged owner Jeff Bezos to reverse the layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future.
Bezos, who bought the Post in 2013, described the leadership change as an “extraordinary opportunity” and said readers provide a clear roadmap for the paper’s success.
Lewis faced criticism for being absent during the layoffs, which former executive editor Marty Baron called one of the darkest moments in the paper’s history.
His tenure also saw repeated staff cuts, subscriber losses, and internal controversies, including newsroom leadership disputes and failed initiatives.
With Lewis stepping aside, the Post now enters another critical phase as it looks to stabilise finances and rebuild trust inside the newsroom.