Matt Mullenweg, the founder of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has posted messages to the company’s internal Slack channel stating that he has regained control as CEO. This comes shortly after the board voted to place him on a paid leave of absence and named the company’s CFO, Mark Davies, as interim CEO.
Multiple employee sources confirmed the authenticity of Mullenweg’s message, which described the board’s earlier decision as a conspiracy and suggested that recent events might have been a misunderstanding. Mullenweg’s message included a lighthearted reference to a popular music video, signaling a defiant tone.
Automattic has not publicly confirmed these claims, and attempts to reach the company for comment have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, Davies’ Slack account was reportedly deactivated, and Mullenweg removed all Slack administrators, actions that have added to the confusion.
Mullenweg’s social media activity since the board’s decision indicates he is contesting the move. He has hinted at external influences behind the board’s actions and called for technical assistance to relocate some of his hosted assets. Despite the turmoil, he expressed respect for those involved and suggested the situation might be resolved.
This unfolding leadership dispute at Automattic is significant given Mullenweg’s central role in the open source community and the broader WordPress ecosystem. The outcome could impact the company’s direction and its relationship with the open source projects it supports.