The Washington Post Lays Off Roughly 100 Staffers as Star Journalists Exit
The Washington Post has announced layoffs affecting approximately 100 employees in its business division, marking the latest sign of financial difficulties at the iconic newspaper. The cuts, which represent around 4% of the publication’s total staff, do not impact the newsroom, according to a spokesperson for the paper.
This development comes during a challenging period for the Post, which has faced declining readership, financial losses, and high-profile resignations. The news follows a controversial decision by the paper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, to block an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election—an unprecedented move that sparked backlash among subscribers and staff.
Financial Struggles Deepen
The Post’s financial troubles have been an ongoing concern. In May 2024, publisher and CEO Will Lewis revealed that the newspaper lost $77 million in 2023. Addressing staff at the time, Lewis acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are in a hole, and we have been for some time.”
While Lewis outlined a strategy to stabilize the paper’s finances, challenges have mounted. The November 2024 election cycle brought increased scrutiny when Bezos, who purchased the Post in 2013 for $250 million, blocked the endorsement of Harris. The decision broke with decades of tradition and led to the resignation of three editorial board members.
In an op-ed defending his stance, Bezos argued that “presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election.” Speaking at the DealBook Summit, Bezos stood by his decision, saying it was “the right move” and emphasizing his role as a financial backer of the paper.
However, the fallout was swift. Over 250,000 digital subscribers canceled their memberships in the wake of the decision, representing roughly 10% of the paper’s online readership.
High-Profile Departures
Internally, the controversy has fueled dissatisfaction among staff, prompting a wave of resignations from prominent journalists. In December, managing editor Matea Gold left for The New York Times. More recently, political reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer joined The Atlantic, White House reporter Tyler Pager moved to The New York Times, investigative reporter Josh Dawsey joined The Wall Street Journal, and veteran journalist Leigh Ann Caldwell left for Puck.
Last week, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes publicly resigned after the Post declined to publish her satirical cartoon depicting Bezos in a controversial light.
Bezos and the Trump Connection
Adding to the upheaval, Bezos has recently taken steps to repair relations with incoming President Donald Trump, including a private dinner at Mar-a-Lago and a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund. In a related move, Amazon announced it would release a documentary on First Lady Melania Trump later this year, with Melania serving as an executive producer.
The Washington Post’s challenges highlight the broader struggles of the media industry, as financial sustainability clashes with editorial independence. As the paper navigates this turbulent period, its future direction remains uncertain.
