The Washington Post is undergoing significant changes as it seeks to align more closely with industry demands. The newspaper has announced layoffs affecting nearly 100 workers, representing 4% of its workforce, in an attempt to curb mounting financial losses. This move comes amid internal upheaval following Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's decision to break with tradition by blocking the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November.
The restructuring at The Washington Post is not limited to layoffs. Managing Editor Matea Gold has decided to join The New York Times, a major competitor, while Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes has announced her resignation. These departures follow earlier voluntary buyout offers aimed at reducing the headcount by 10%, reflecting the newspaper's ongoing struggle to maintain its financial footing. In 2023, The Post reported losses amounting to $77 million (£45 million) and faced dwindling readership numbers, with 250,000 subscribers canceling their subscriptions in protest.
Despite these challenges, a spokesperson for the newspaper emphasized:
"The Washington Post is continuing its transformation to meet the needs of the industry."
The spokesperson further elaborated:
"Changes across our business functions are all in service of our greater goal to best position The Post for the future."
The current layoffs will predominantly affect employees on the business side of the operation. This strategic shift comes as The Washington Post grapples with fallout from Mr. Bezos's relationship with political figures. Notably, Mr. Bezos described Trump's re-election as "an extraordinary political comeback" and dined with him at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's residence in Florida. The newspaper also faced controversy when it refused to publish a satirical cartoon depicting Mr. Bezos and other magnates kneeling before a statue of President-elect Donald Trump.
Compounding the internal challenges, several high-profile journalists, including investigative reporter Josh Dawsey, have left The Washington Post. This exodus underscores the newspaper's pressing need to stabilize amidst ongoing transformations and financial strains.