Washington Post Staff Demand Meeting with Bezos Amid Turmoil

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 400 staff members at The Washington Post have sent a letter to billionaire owner Jeff Bezos, urging him to meet in person to address widespread concerns about the newspaper’s future. The letter, signed by top journalists and correspondents, was delivered Tuesday evening amid growing unease over leadership decisions and financial struggles.

“We are deeply alarmed by recent leadership decisions that have led readers to question the integrity of this institution, broken with a tradition of transparency, and prompted some of our most distinguished colleagues to leave, with more departures imminent,” the letter states. NPR first reported the letter’s contents.

The plea comes as the Post faces significant challenges, including a 10% drop in its subscription base following its decision to end endorsements of U.S. presidential candidates. This move reportedly contributed to the paper losing $100 million in 2024. Digital visitors to the website have also plummeted, from 114 million in November 2020 to 54 million in November 2024.

Last week, the Post laid off roughly 100 employees, about 4% of its workforce, as part of cost-cutting measures. The company’s chief executive, Will Lewis, who took the helm in November 2023, has been at the center of staff discontent. His tenure has been marked by high-profile departures, including former Executive Editor Sally Buzbee, who stepped down in June after Lewis announced a newsroom reorganization.

Robert Winnett, Lewis’s initial choice to replace Buzbee, withdrew from consideration following staff backlash. Several opinion writers also resigned after the Post announced it would no longer endorse presidential candidates. Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes quit after the paper refused to publish her cartoon depicting billionaires bowing to former President Donald Trump.

Bezos, who purchased the Post in 2013, has faced criticism for his perceived closeness to Trump. The tech billionaire has donated $1 million toward Trump’s inauguration costs and met with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago. His decision to block the Post’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris before the 2024 election led to over 300,000 subscription cancellations.

In an opinion piece for the Post, Bezos defended the decision, stating, “We must work harder to control what we can control to increase our credibility.” However, staffers argue that the paper’s leadership has failed to provide a clear vision for its future. “We understand the need for change and we are eager to deliver the news in innovative ways,” the letter reads. “But we need a clear vision we can believe in.”

The Post’s financial struggles have been exacerbated by declining revenues and internal turmoil. Despite these challenges, the paper has continued to produce award-winning journalism, including groundbreaking investigations into the January 6 Capitol attack. However, staffers fear that without decisive action from Bezos, the Post’s legacy as a vital American institution is at risk.

Through a spokesperson, Lewis and the Post declined to comment on the letter. A representative for Bezos did not respond to requests for comment.