The Washington Post announced on Saturday that its CEO, Wil Lewis, is stepping down after initiating a large-scale plan to reduce the number of employees at the American newspaper, owned by Jeff Bezos. In an online message to staff, Lewis acknowledged the difficulty of making such decisions in order to ensure a sustainable future for the publication, which aims to continue delivering quality, non-partisan news to millions of readers daily. Lewis highlighted that after two years of trying to develop the paper, it was the right time for him to resign.

The layoff plan, announced days prior, involved cutting approximately 300 journalists from a workforce of 800, which has created widespread shock among employees and the industry. This move comes amidst a backdrop of growing ties between Bezos and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has relentlessly targeted traditional media since taking office. The decision to lay off staff has raised concerns about the implications for journalistic integrity and independence at the paper, which is known for its investigative reporting and political coverage.

Replacing Lewis will be Jeff Donofrio, the current Chief Financial Officer of the Washington Post, who has been with the paper since last year. This transition marks a significant shift in leadership during a tumultuous time for the publication, as it navigates both internal challenges and external pressures from political figures and changing market dynamics in the media landscape.