The CEO of The Washington Post, Will Lewis, stepped down on Saturday, shortly after the newspaper conducted layoffs affecting around 300 staff members. This move further complicates the situation for the famed publication owned by Jeff Bezos.
The newspaper confirmed Lewis’s immediate resignation.
He will be succeeded by Jeff D’Onofrio, who previously served as CEO of Tumblr, and began his role at The Post as the chief financial officer in June.
In his new role, D’Onofrio will be the Publisher and Acting CEO.
Lewis described his exit as a necessary step in a challenging transition, stating, “now is the right time to step down” after two years at the paper.
In a farewell message to staff, he noted that “difficult decisions have been made to ensure a sustainable future for the Post,” defending the significant changes implemented during his leadership. He expressed gratitude towards Bezos for his “support and leadership,” insisting that the paper “could not have had a better owner.”
Lewis emphasized that the restructuring is crucial for the newspaper’s long-term objectives, aiming to provide “high-quality, nonpartisan news to millions of customers every day for years to come.”
In a separate communication, D’Onofrio acknowledged the challenges recently faced by the newsroom, saying it was coming off a “tough week of change with more changes to come.”
D’Onofrio joined the publication with a “long-standing respect and admiration” for its “vital role” in journalism and democracy. He pointed out that the paper is grappling with the same economic difficulties impacting media organizations overall.
He informed employees that “customer data will drive our decision-making,” indicating a dedication to prioritizing “what’s most valuable to our readers,” while still promising to uphold the newsroom’s “uncompromising and fearless journalism” as a guiding principle for a sustainable future.
Lewis’s tenure was marked by significant internal challenges, including the abrupt resignation of editor-in-chief Sally Buzbee in June 2024. Her exit, following a newsroom reorganization and tensions regarding editorial independence, intensified morale issues and was viewed as a critical moment of dysfunction in leadership.
This past week, The Washington Post laid off over 300 journalists, accounting for about 30% of its workforce, with significant reductions in its sports and international sections.
During this upheaval, Lewis remained largely out of sight and faced criticism for his lack of support for staff, particularly after images of him attending a Super Bowl event circulated online.
D’Onofrio, having spent nearly a decade at Tumblr and moving from CFO to CEO, boasts a background in technology, media, and finance, with senior roles at Google and MLB Advanced Media.
His most recent position was as CFO at the digital advertising firm Raptive, where he managed finance, data, and analytics.
Jeff Bezos commented, stating, “The Post has an important journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity. Every day, our readers give us a roadmap to success. Data tells us what’s valuable and where to focus.” He expressed confidence in D’Onofrio, saying he is poised to lead the paper into a promising new phase.
