Will Lewis, the publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post, abruptly resigned on Saturday evening, just days after the newspaper laid off nearly one-third of its staff, including more than 300 journalists. Lewis, a former Murdoch media executive who took the role in early 2024, faced criticism for his absence during the announcement of the cuts and for his leadership during a turbulent period.
In an email to staff, Lewis thanked owner Jeff Bezos and said the time was right for him to step aside after two years of transformation. He acknowledged the difficult decisions taken to ensure the Post's sustainable future. His departure was met with celebration by some current and former journalists, who had criticised his management style and his attendance at the Super Bowl festivities shortly after the sports section was gutted.
Jeff D'Onofrio, who joined the Post as chief financial officer in June, will serve as acting publisher and chief executive. D'Onofrio expressed confidence in leading the organisation into a sustainable future, with journalism as its north star. Bezos released a statement praising the Post's mission and the new leadership team, without directly addressing Lewis's tenure.
Lewis, 56, had a lengthy career at Rupert Murdoch's media properties, including six years as CEO and publisher of the Wall Street Journal. He began his journalism career at the Financial Times and later held senior roles at the Sunday Times and the Telegraph. He also played a key role in handling the aftermath of the Murdoch phone-hacking scandal, a topic he declined to discuss after joining the Post.
