Mullenweg returns as Automattic CEO after board ouster attempt
Original: Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as CEO after attempted ouster by board
Why This Matters
Automattic controls WordPress.com and powers a significant share of the web; leadership chaos there carries broad platform risk.
Automattic confirmed on Saturday, September 12, 2026, that Matt Mullenweg has returned as chairman and CEO after the board voted earlier that week to place him on paid leave. CFO Mark Davies had been named interim CEO, but the transition collapsed within days as Mullenweg refused to exit.
The drama unfolded fast. Automattic's board voted earlier in the week to put Mullenweg on paid leave for undisclosed reasons — a move Mullenweg publicly called a 'conspiracy' via the company's Slack. Automattic confirmed his removal to TechCrunch on Wednesday, naming CFO Mark Davies as interim CEO with 'full confidence' of the board.
The handover never actually happened. Mullenweg reportedly booted other Slack admins, told employees he was back in control, and posted 'I'm a pirate now' — a departure from his well-known aversion to profanity. When TechCrunch pressed him on whether he was serious about returning, he promised a blog post, which turned out to be about buying a houseboat. Asked if he was trolling, he replied: 'I'm not a troll I'm a pirate, obviously.'
By Saturday evening, Automattic issued a statement confirming Mullenweg is 'the chairman and CEO of Automattic, with full support of the board.' The company did not explain what changed. Mullenweg later noted on X that this was likely his fifth 'coup' attempt. Separately, board member and Bluesky CEO Toni Schneider is reported to have stepped down, though neither he nor Automattic has confirmed this. Board composition, per TechCrunch sources, may still be in flux.