Shashi Tharoor's Son Ishaan Sacked by Washington Post: Pens Emotional Note Amid Mass Layoffs
Ishaan Tharoor, son of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, is among the staff laid off by The Washington Post. The celebrated foreign affairs columnist penned a sombre farewell note, calling the news "devastating." Read about his reaction and the media crisis.
Washington D.C. / New Delhi: In a development that highlights the deepening crisis in the global media industry, Ishaan Tharoor, a prominent foreign affairs columnist and the son of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, has been laid off by The Washington Post.
Tharoor, who had been a key voice at the publication for over a decade, is among the casualties of a new round of layoffs initiated by the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper. The news has sent shockwaves through journalistic circles, given Tharoor’s reputation as one of the most widely read international affairs commentators in the US.
"Devastated and Heartbroken": Ishaan’s Emotional Note
Following the announcement, Ishaan Tharoor took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm his departure. In a deeply personal and sombre note, he expressed his shock and sadness.
"I’m devastated to say that I have been laid off by The Washington Post," Tharoor wrote. "It has been the privilege of my life to work here for the past 10 years and to write the WorldViews column for the past eight. I am heartbroken to be leaving my colleagues and the work that I love."
He further thanked his readers and colleagues for their support over the years, marking the end of his popular daily column, "WorldViews," which analyzed global geopolitical trends for millions of subscribers.
Why is The Washington Post Cutting Jobs?
This layoff is part of a broader restructuring at The Washington Post. The publication has been grappling with financial headwinds, including declining readership and advertising revenue.
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Jeff Bezos's Role: The move comes amidst scrutiny of owner Jeff Bezos’s management strategies. Reports suggest that the publication is pivoting towards a new digital model, leading to cost-cutting measures that have affected even senior editorial staff.
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Industry Trend: Tharoor is not alone. The US media landscape is witnessing a "bloodbath," with major outlets like the Los Angeles Times, TIME, and Business Insider also reducing their workforce in 2025-26.
Shashi Tharoor’s Reaction
While Shashi Tharoor has not yet issued an official political statement, he retweeted his son’s post, signaling support during this difficult professional transition. Ishaan, born to Shashi Tharoor and his first wife Tilottama Mukherji, has often been cited by his father as a source of pride for his independent journalistic career.
Legacy of 'WorldViews'
Ishaan Tharoor joined The Washington Post in 2014 after a stint at TIME magazine. His work was known for its nuanced take on history, imperialism, and modern diplomacy. His departure raises questions about the shrinking space for in-depth foreign policy analysis in mainstream American media.
Conclusion: Ishaan Tharoor’s exit serves as a grim reminder that no one is immune to the volatility of the modern media business. As support pours in from journalists worldwide, the focus now shifts to what the talented writer—and The Washington Post—will do next.
