Will Lewis, chief executive and publisher of The Washington Post, has announced his resignation as he faces growing backlash in the days following the publication of the newspaper. Announcing massive layoffs.

“After two years of transformation at The Washington Post, now is the perfect time for me to resign,” Lewis said in a memo to staff on Saturday that was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Matt Visser, the Post’s White House bureau chief. “I want to thank Jeff Bezos for his support and leadership during my tenure as CEO and publisher. The agency could not ask for a better owner.”

Lewis continued: “During my tenure, we have made difficult decisions to ensure a sustainable future for The Washington Post so that it can deliver high-quality, nonpartisan journalism to millions of customers every day for many years to come.”

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Will Lewis has resigned as CEO and publisher of The Washington Post after two years leading it. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Jeff D’Onofrio, who joined the paper as chief financial officer in June 2025, has been named its acting chief executive and publisher, effective immediately, according to a news release from The Washington Post.

“The Washington Post is deeply committed to writing the first draft of history that will anchor and stamp its future,” D’Onofrio said in the release. “I am honored to be a part of planning for the future and to lead the charge in protecting the legacy and business of this vibrant, storied American institution.”

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The Washington Post owner said in a statement Jeff Bezos “The Post has an important journalistic mission and extraordinary opportunity,” Jeff said. “Our readers provide us with a road map for success every day. Data tells us what is valuable and where to focus. Jeff and (Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and Opinion Editor Adam O’Neill) will lead The Post into an exciting and thriving new chapter.”

The Washington Post announced massive layoffs this week, affecting a third of its staff. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)

Lewis and Bezos drew backlash over their absence from Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray, who was tasked with announcing sweeping layoffs on Wednesday that would affect a third of the staff.

during an interview fox news numbersMurray defended both Bezos and Lewis.

“The first time I heard the phrase ‘save the Postal Service’ was from Jeff Bezos,” Murray said of a December 2024 exchange he had with The New York Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin. “I think people have different definitions of what that means, but we all share a desire for the Postal Service to thrive again, be on a stronger financial footing, and be in a good position to be more relevant to people’s lives. That’s the Postal Service’s importance.” What we’re all working toward. “

“Will has been close to me on this for a long time,” Murray said of Lewis. “The company does a lot of things and Will is involved in the whole company and I’m not. He has a lot to do today.”

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Will Lewis has resigned as publisher and CEO of The Washington Post amid a backlash over layoffs at the paper. (Elliott O’Donovan writes for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Lewis’ tenure at the Post got off to a rocky start, telling staff bluntly: “People aren’t reading your stuff.”

“We’re going to turn it around, but let’s not sugarcoat it. It needs to be turned around,” Lewis said. During a meeting in June 2024. “We’re losing a lot of money. Your audience has been cut in half in recent years. People aren’t reading your content anymore. Right. I can’t sugarcoat it anymore.”

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Washington Post staff have previously spoken out about his lack of newsroom presence, especially after he made these comments.

Lewis further fueled the backlash against him following his layoff. spot Thursday’s Super Bowl pregame event in San Francisco.

Fox News digital editor and reporter Brian Flood contributed to this report.