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Washington Post CEO Resigns Amid Controversial Layoffs

2/10/2026

50 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Will Lewis, CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, resigned.
The layoffs affected about one-third of the staff.
The layoffs shuttered the sports and books sections and cut numerous reporting positions.
Jeff D’Onofrio, the former chief financial officer, was appointed acting publisher.
Staff and subscribers criticized Lewis for attending Super Bowl events during this period.

History

Historical Context

The Washington Post has faced ongoing financial challenges since 2008, when it laid off 10% of its workforce amid declining print revenues. This struggle intensified under CEO William Lewis, who announced significant layoffs in 2023, reflecting a broader trend in the media industry as traditional journalism grapples with digital competition and changing reader habits. The Post's subscriber base has dropped by approximately 500,000 since 2020.

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Story summary

Will Lewis, CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, resigned.
The layoffs affected about one-third of the staff.
The layoffs shuttered the sports and books sections and cut numerous reporting positions.
Jeff D’Onofrio, the former chief financial officer, was appointed acting publisher.
Staff and subscribers criticized Lewis for attending Super Bowl events during this period.

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