Matt Mullenweg Reclaims Control at Automattic After CEO Ouster

Matt Mullenweg has returned to the helm of Automattic, asserting his reinstatement as CEO following a brief and chaotic period where he was removed from the role. The WordPress founder shared news of his return in an internal message on the company’s Slack platform, claiming that the board had reached a consensus and that he was once again in charge. This development comes just days after Automattic’s board voted to place Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence for undisclosed reasons, appointing Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies as interim CEO.

While TechCrunch sought confirmation from Automattic regarding these events, the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mullenweg initially indicated that a formal blog post would follow, but instead published content unrelated to the corporate turmoil, focusing on his purchase of a houseboat. The situation remains fluid, with conflicting signals emerging from both leadership channels and social media platforms.

A Chaotic Power Struggle

The tension began earlier this week when Mullenweg addressed his team via Slack, alleging that board members had conspired behind his back to remove him. He described the move as a betrayal and confirmed that Davies had taken over as interim leader. At the time, an Automattic spokesperson verified to reporters that Mullenweg was indeed on leave and that Davies was serving in the acting capacity.

However, the narrative shifted dramatically early Friday morning. Mullenweg posted a new message on Slack declaring, “(Don’t call it a comeback…) Howdy everybody! Happy to announce the board is back in agreement, and I’m in control of Automattic.” He added, “A lot happened in the past 48 hours that we need to sort out, and I hope much of it was a misunderstanding, because I have huge respect and regard for those involved.”

In a move that highlighted the surreal nature of the dispute, Mullenweg also shared a link to LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” video. Despite his claims, sources indicated that no official confirmation had been received from the board. Furthermore, Mark Davies’ Slack account appeared to be deactivated, adding to the confusion surrounding who held actual operational control at any given moment.

Conflicting Signals and External Accusations

Complicating matters further, reports emerged that Mullenweg had previously removed all Slack administrators from the workspace during the height of the crisis. In a post that contradicted his usual demeanor, he made references to being a “pirate” and used language typically avoided by the famously profanity-free founder. These actions led observers to question whether he was engaging in trolling behavior or if genuine administrative changes were underway.

Prior to his apparent return, Mullenweg’s online activity suggested he was actively resisting the board’s decision. On Reddit, he dismissed speculation about the impact on the open-source community, telling users they lacked insight into the situation. His initial response to news coverage was dismissive, stating, “Hey y’all. I’m here, just fine,” before engaging with critics.

On X, formerly Twitter, Mullenweg hinted at underlying complexities, posting, “Things are different than they appear.” He reportedly asked for assistance from sysadmins and security researchers to migrate data hosted by Automattic, even while publicly supporting Davies. Throughout these exchanges, he implicated Silver Lake, the private equity firm that owns WP Engine, suggesting the firm was involved in a plot to “destroy” his life. Silver Lake currently holds a majority stake in WP Engine, which is engaged in ongoing litigation with Mullenweg and Automattic.

Reflections on Corporate Governance

Despite the intense drama, Mullenweg maintained a somewhat lighthearted tone in his final update on X, posting, “Boards are never boring,” accompanied by a laughing/crying emoji. This comment underscored the unpredictable nature of high-stakes corporate governance.

For founders navigating similar environments, Mullenweg offered blunt advice through a tweet: “If you don’t have a coup attempt every few years, you’re not hiring strong enough leaders.” This perspective frames the recent upheaval not just as a personal crisis, but as a potential indicator of robust leadership within the organization. As Automattic moves forward, the focus will likely shift to resolving the misunderstandings Mullenweg cited and stabilizing operations after this unprecedented internal conflict.