The Washington Post has laid off approximately 100 employees across its business division, marking a significant blow to the struggling newspaper’s already dwindling financial resources. The cuts represent about 4% of the publication’s staff and did not affect the newsroom, according to a spokesperson for the Post.
This latest move comes as part of the Post’s efforts to “transform” and “build a more sustainable future,” as stated by a Post spokesperson. However, the newspaper has been hemorrhaging high-profile journalists in recent weeks and has struggled with declining readership and high expenses.
The Post’s financial woes are not new. When publisher Will Lewis took over the top job in November 2023, the paper was already reeling from layoffs, reader decline, and high costs. The extent of the Post’s financial struggles became apparent in May when Lewis revealed a loss of $77 million in 2023.
The newspaper’s decision to block an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris sparked turmoil and led to the resignation of three editorial board staffers. Jeff Bezos, the Post’s owner, defended the move, claiming it would not impact the election outcome.
However, the move had significant consequences for the Post. Over 250,000 readers canceled their subscriptions, about 10% of the paper’s digital subscribers, after Bezos blocked the endorsement. This exodus has been followed by several high-profile defections among the Post’s staff, including top reporters and editors to rival publications.
Bezos’ efforts to repair his relationship with President Trump appear to be paying off, as the billionaire has been dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and making donations to his inaugural fund.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/07/media/washington-post-layoffs/index.html