Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress.com and CEO of Automattic, has declared through an internal Slack message that he is back in control of the company following a recent board decision to place him on a paid leave of absence. This announcement comes just days after the board voted to remove him as CEO for undisclosed reasons.
According to multiple employee sources and a screenshot obtained by TechCrunch, Mullenweg stated that the board had initially conspired to sideline him and appointed CFO Mark Davies as interim CEO. Automattic confirmed Mullenweg's leave and Davies' interim role earlier in the week.
However, early Friday, Mullenweg posted a message on Slack indicating that the board had reversed course and restored his leadership. He acknowledged that much needed to be clarified and expressed hope that the conflict was a misunderstanding. Alongside his message, he shared a link to LL Cool J’s "Mama Said Knock You Out," signaling a combative tone.
No official confirmation from Automattic's board has been made public, and sources report that Davies' Slack account was deactivated. Additionally, Mullenweg reportedly removed all Slack administrators and posted unconventional messages, including one referring to himself as a "pirate," which contrasts with his usual communication style.
Mullenweg has also been active on social media, disputing speculation about the impact of his removal on the open source community and hinting at involvement from Silver Lake, a private equity firm connected to a legal dispute with Automattic and WP Engine. He requested assistance from sysadmins and security experts to relocate some of his data hosted by Automattic.
The unfolding events highlight internal turmoil at Automattic, raising questions about governance and control within the company that operates one of the largest open source platforms globally. As the situation develops, clarity on leadership and company direction remains pending.