A legendary former Washington Post editor criticized the decision to empty the newspaper’s newsroom, calling it one of the “darkest days” in the publication’s history and flaming billionaire owner Jeff Bezos for “disgusting efforts to curry favor” with President Donald Trump.

Marty Baron, who was editor of The Post from 2012 until his retirement five years ago, wrote on Facebook: “This is among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s largest news organizations.”

He added: “The Washington Post’s ambitions will be sharply diminished, its talented and courageous staff will be further depleted, and the public will be denied basic, fact-based information in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever.”

Marty Baron attends the “Elevating journalism to its rightful position” debate during the World News Media Congress at the ICE Krakow Congress Center in Krakow, Poland, on May 5, 2025.
Marty Baron attends the “Elevating journalism to its rightful position” debate during the World News Media Congress at the ICE Krakow Congress Center in Krakow, Poland, on May 5, 2025.

Defeat Zawrzel/Nurphoto via Getty Images

He highlighted Bezos’ “ill-conceived” decision to end the Post’s tradition of endorsing presidential candidates in the 2024 presidential election, calling it a “cowardly order” that “now stands out only for its moral weakness.”

“Loyal readers, furious at seeing owner Jeff Bezos betray the values ​​he was supposed to defend, fled the Post. In truth, they were chased away by the hundreds of thousands,” he said.

“Bezos’s disgusting efforts to curry favor with President Trump have left an especially ugly stain. This is a case study in self-inflicted and almost instantaneous brand destruction,” Baron added.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaks at the America Business Forum on November 6, 2025 in Miami.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaks at the America Business Forum on November 6, 2025 in Miami.

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Bezos bought The Post in 2013. Baron said he remains grateful to have had Bezos’ support during the years he served as The Post’s executive editor.

“During that time, he was under brutal pressure from Trump. And yet he spoke forcefully and eloquently about a free press and the Post’s mission,” Baron wrote.

“I wish I had detected the same spirit today. No sign of it,” he continued.

The Post cut a third of its staff Wednesday as part of a long-awaited major round of layoffs. The newspaper’s sports section and books department will be eliminated, while the Post Reports podcast will also be suspended, as part of the recently announced cuts.

The Washington Post Guild also took aim at Bezos and called for him to be replaced if he is not willing to support the landmark publication.

A statement said: “If Jeff Bezos is no longer willing to invest in the mission that has defined this newspaper for generations and serve the millions who depend on The Post’s journalism, then The Post deserves a trustee who will.”