The Resignation Details
Lewis informed the staff of his exit via a brief, two-paragraph email sent on Saturday evening.
The Message: Lewis stated that after “two years of transformation,” it was the “right time to step aside.” He emphasized that “difficult decisions” were necessary to ensure the publication’s “sustainable future.”
Praise for Ownership: He notably thanked owner Jeff Bezos, stating the institution “could not have a better owner,” though he reportedly did not mention the staff in his farewell note.
The “Absent” CEO: Tension peaked on the Wednesday before his resignation when Lewis was notably absent from the Zoom call where the mass layoffs were announced, reportedly appearing later that day at a Super Bowl-related event in San Francisco.
Leadership Transition
Jeff D’Onofrio, the Post’s Chief Financial Officer since June 2025, has been named acting publisher and CEO, effective immediately.
| Feature | Jeff D’Onofrio (Acting CEO) |
| Background | Finance executive with a focus on digital and tech (Tumblr, Google, Yahoo). |
| Previous Role | Former CEO of Tumblr (2017–2022). |
| Current Mission | To navigate the “fierce” business environment while securing the paper’s journalistic legacy. |
| Newsroom Team | Will work alongside Executive Editor Matt Murray and Opinion Editor Adam O’Neal. |
The Impact of the Restructuring
The layoffs were some of the most sweeping in the Post’s history, aimed at addressing a reported $170 million loss in recent years.
Department Closures: The Post shuttered its standalone sports department and its books section.
Global Footprint: There were sharp reductions in international reporting, including the closure of multiple bureaus in Asia and the Middle East.
Staff Morale: The Washington Post Guild called Lewis’s legacy the “attempted destruction” of the institution and urged Jeff Bezos to either reinvest in the newsroom or find a new steward for the paper.
