Full Breakdown
Matt Mullenweg Says He’s Back in Control of Automattic After Board-Led Ouster
By Drooid · · How we work
Mullenweg Claims Return to CEO Role
On September 11, 2026, Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress.com and a prominent open-source advocate, posted to Automattic’s internal Slack that the board had “back in agreement” and that he was “in control of Automattic.” He framed the recent turmoil as a misunderstanding and referenced a LL Cool J video in the same message. Earlier that week, Mullenweg had announced that the board had placed him on a paid leave of absence and installed chief financial officer Mark Davies as interim CEO.
Recent Board Actions and Interim Leadership
According to multiple sources, Automattic’s board voted to remove Mullenweg as chief executive for reasons not disclosed publicly. The board then appointed Mark Davies as interim CEO. In the days that followed, Mullenweg reported that Davies’ Slack account was deactivated and that he had removed all Slack administrators, actions he described as part of a “pirate” response. Mullenweg also posted on X that “Boards are never boring,” accompanied by a laughing-crying emoji.
Company Response
Automattic’s spokesperson confirmed to The Verge that Mullenweg was “currently on leave” and that Mark Davies was serving as interim CEO. In a separate message, Davies indicated that Mullenweg would remain a member of the board. The company has not issued a statement confirming or denying Mullenweg’s claim of having regained control.
Wider Reactions and Allegations
Mullenweg’s public posts on Reddit and X suggested that the private-equity firm Silver Lake, the majority owner of WP Engine, might be involved in efforts to “destroy” his life. He also called for sysadmins and security researchers to help relocate assets hosted at Automattic. No independent verification of these allegations has been provided.
Timeline
- Early September 2026 – Board votes to place Mullenweg on paid leave; Mark Davies named interim CEO.
- September 11, 2026 – Mullenweg posts Slack message asserting board agreement and his control; deactivates Slack admins and reports Davies’ account disabled.
- September 11, 2026 (later) – Automattic spokesperson reiterates Mullenweg’s leave status and Davies’ interim role; company does not confirm the claimed reversal.