The Daily Wire has confirmed layoffs across multiple teams as part of a major restructuring at the conservative media company co-founded by Ben Shapiro.
The cuts were announced Friday and are largely concentrated at the company’s Nashville production office. A spokesperson told The Wrap on May 1, 2026, that the restructuring aims to support investment in new production formats and geographic expansion, including a recently opened Washington, D.C. bureau with White House briefing room credentials. The company stated it will continue prioritizing editorial and investigative journalism.
No official headcount was released.Independent tracker layoffhedge.com estimated approximately 100 roles were eliminated, representing roughly half the workforce.
 |
| Ben Shapiro |
The announcement triggered immediate controversy. Former Daily Wire host Candace Owens, fired in 2024, claimed on X that the company laid off “over 50% of their staff,” later raising her estimate to “more like 60%.” Editor-in-Chief Brent Scher responded directly, calling the claim “insane” and stating the cuts were “nowhere near 50% of the company.”
The layoffs come as third-party analytics show a steep decline in the outlet’s digital audience. Ben Shapiro’s YouTube channel has seen monthly views fall to about 28 million in the past 30 days, down from a late 2023 peak of roughly 170 million — an estimated 85% drop — while also losing around 20,000 subscribers. Neither YouTube nor The Daily Wire has confirmed those exact figures.
Founded a decade ago, The Daily Wire grew into a billion-dollar conservative media operation. These cuts reflect ongoing challenges in the digital media landscape.