Matt Mullenweg regains control of Automattic after brief board ouster
The WordPress founder returns as CEO and chairman days after the board attempted to sideline him.
Matt Mullenweg has returned as the chairman and CEO of Automattic following a brief and volatile attempt by the company's board to remove him from power. The leadership crisis, which unfolded in September 2026, underscores a deepening conflict between the founder's vision and corporate governance.
On September 9, 2026, Automattic's board voted to place Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence. The vote included board members Ann Dunwoody, Sue Decker, and Toni Schneider; Mullenweg was the lone opposing vote in the decision. During this period, CFO Mark Davies was appointed to serve as the interim CEO. However, the ouster lasted only 48 to 72 hours. An Automattic spokesperson later confirmed that Mullenweg has returned to his roles as chairman and CEO with the full support of the board.
A battle for administrative control
The return of the founder was not a standard corporate transition. Reports indicate that Mullenweg utilized his administrative privileges to remove other administrators from the company's Slack workspace to retake control of the organization's internal communications. When questioned about the nature of his return and the tactics used, Mullenweg stated, "I’m not a troll I’m a pirate, obviously."
Context of the conflict
This internal power struggle follows a period of intense external conflict. Mullenweg has led a "nuclear" campaign against WP Engine, citing trademark usage and GPL violations. This dispute has escalated into lawsuits and accusations regarding the destruction of evidence. The board's attempt to sideline Mullenweg was reportedly driven by concerns over the company's legal exposure, a decline in market share, and the erosion of trust within the broader WordPress community.
Why it matters
As the leader of the company behind WordPress.com and a central figure in the open-source ecosystem, Mullenweg's stability is closely tied to the stability of the platform that powers a significant portion of the global web. The clash between Mullenweg and his board highlights a fundamental struggle between founder control and traditional corporate oversight. The speed with which the board reversed its decision suggests a precarious balance of power within Automattic, where the founder's influence may outweigh the board's collective authority.
What's next
While the board now claims to fully support Mullenweg, the underlying tensions regarding legal risks and community relations remain unresolved. Observers will be watching to see if the board implements new governance structures to prevent future volatility or if Mullenweg's return signals a total consolidation of power that removes meaningful checks and balances within the company.