The Washington Post, one of the world's most storied journalistic institutions, has been embroiled in a period of turmoil and controversy under the leadership of Will Lewis, who recently resigned as publisher after a tumultuous two years. As reported by The Guardian, Lewis's tenure was marked by clashes with staff, controversy, and a series of jargon-heavy initiatives that failed to yield significant results.
Lewis, a veteran of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, was appointed to the role in November 2023, replacing Fred Ryan, a former Ronald Reagan aide who had presided over some of the Post's most profitable years. However, Lewis's tenure was marked by significant challenges, including a decline in readership and revenue, which ultimately led to the implementation of drastic cost-cutting measures, including the layoffs of nearly a third of the Post's staff.
The layoffs, which were announced in early February 2026, sparked widespread outrage and sadness among Post employees, with many directing their ire at Lewis and the Post's billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos. While Lewis was not present at the meeting where the layoffs were announced, he was spotted at the pre-game festivities for the Super Bowl, a move that was widely criticized by Post staffers.
Controversy and Criticism
Lewis's tenure was marked by controversy from the outset, with many Post employees expressing skepticism about his ability to lead the organization. Ruth Marcus, a former Post columnist who resigned in March 2025, recalled being initially well-disposed towards Lewis, but eventually becoming disillusioned with his leadership style. "I was surprised by the timing, but not by the outcome," Marcus said in an interview.
Lewis's past also came under scrutiny during his tenure, with allegations of his involvement in a major hacking scandal at Murdoch's UK publications in the early 2010s. While Lewis denied any wrongdoing, the controversy surrounding his past continued to dog him throughout his time at the Post.
Despite the controversy, Lewis was initially given a warm welcome by some Post staffers, including Sally Quinn, a former Post writer and the widow of former Post executive editor Ben Bradlee. However, Quinn said she stopped hearing from Lewis after he faced blowback for his handling of the ouster of Sally Buzbee as executive editor in early June 2024.
Leadership Style and Initiatives
Lewis's leadership style was widely criticized by Post staffers, with many describing him as aloof and disconnected from the newsroom. Carol D Leonnig, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist who left the Post for MSNBC in the summer of 2025, wrote on social media that Lewis "showed his horrendous leadership" during his first staff meeting, where he snapped at her question about his vision for the Post.
Lewis's initiatives, including the launch of a digital media startup called the News Movement, also failed to gain traction. Cameron Barr, a former managing editor at the Post, described Lewis's tenure as "ineffective," saying that none of his initiatives had been successful in turning around the Post's financial fortunes.
Aftermath and Departure
In the end, Lewis's departure from the Post was met with widespread celebration among Post staffers, with many expressing relief that his tumultuous tenure had come to an end. In a statement, Bezos praised the Post's "essential journalistic mission" and announced that Jeff D'Onofrio, a business executive, would serve as acting publisher.
Lewis, in a terse email to staffers, thanked Bezos for his support and leadership, but made no mention of the controversy surrounding his departure. As the Post looks to the future, it remains to be seen whether the organization can recover from the tumultuous period under Lewis's leadership and regain its footing as a leading journalistic institution.
