‘Go back to India’: Laid-off Washington Post journalist hits back at racist troll

Washington Post journalist faces racist abuse after being laid off. (Image: sabrinabmalhi/ Instagram)

The Washington Post’s decision to cut around one-third of its workforce has drawn widespread attention, not only for the scale of the layoffs but also for the personal impact on affected journalists. Several staff members announced on social media that they had lost their jobs at the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper.

One such account came from Washington Post journalist Sabrina Malhi, whose social media posts about her layoff prompted both messages of support and trolling. Sharing her experience, Malhi wrote on X, “Getting laid off while pregnant or on maternity leave is particularly messed up.”

Her post drew immediate responses from social media users, many of whom expressed sympathy and shared similar experiences. One person wrote, “Oh Sabrina, I’m so very sorry.” Another commented, “Oh my gosh, Sabrina. It’s such a vulnerable time … I’m so sorry.”

Some users spoke about their own family members or personal experiences. One said, “Yes, it is. My daughter lost her job when she was 7 months pregnant. Her company closed. It’s very hard to find a job when you’re pregnant.” Another added, “worst experience ever & stress is so bad for the baby & interviewing while pregnant was a trip.”

In a separate post, Malhi described the emotional impact of the decision on her family. “My heart is broken. I’m sitting here nursing my newborn baby, and losing my ‘dream job’ at @washingtonpost is devastating,” she wrote. Several users responded by encouraging her to focus on her child and health, suggesting that she look for work when the time felt right.

Alongside the supportive messages, Malhi also faced abusive comments. One user responded to her post by telling her to “Go back to India.” Malhi replied publicly, writing, “Cause I don’t have a job and I have time today: I’m not from India, you f****g imbecile.”

Getting laid off while pregnant or on maternity leave is particularly messed up

— Sabrina Malhi (@SabrinaMalhi) February 4, 2026

She later commented on the overall tone of the responses she received online, saying, “The responses to my posts always remind me why I rarely share anything here. People are vile and cruel.” Her remarks prompted further messages of support. One person replied, “So sorry to hear that. If it's any consolation, most of those responses are likely from bots. Anyone who is a genuine human being would not be saying those things.” Another added, “Sabrina! You’re a better human, ignore the naysayers.”

The reactions to Malhi’s posts came as the Washington Post confirmed widespread staff reductions. As reported by Reuters, a spokesperson for the Washington-Baltimore News Guild union said the newsroom alone is losing “hundreds” of staff members.

Executive Editor Matt Murray informed employees that the reductions would impact several departments, including the international, editing, metro and sports desks. The layoffs followed the newspaper’s recent decision to scale back coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, reflecting ongoing financial challenges.

During a call with staff, Murray addressed the need for structural change at the organisation. “For too long, we've operated with a structure that's too rooted in the days when we were a quasi-monopoly local newspaper,” he said. He added, “We need a new way forward and a sounder foundation.”