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February 5, 2026

Jeff Bezos Gutted the Washington Post. What Happens Now?

City Cast DC

Jeff Bezos Gutted the Washington Post. What Happens Now?

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Yesterday was an incredibly grim day for the Washington Post — and for our city, too. The Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, laid off up to a third of its staff. The sports section is being shuttered, the Metro section cut by three-quarters, and many of the critics who followed local culture sent packing. My friend Jack Shafer has been covering the Post for 40 years, since he was editor of Washington City Paper in the 80s and 90s — this is the guy I call when I want to talk shop about the media. We talked yesterday as the cuts were going down to reflect on what the change means.


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