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Mullenweg Returns to Automattic Two Days After Board Removal

By Tech Desk · 2026-09-12 · 1 min read
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Illustration: Tradingbird

The founder claims the board reversed its decision, though the company has not officially confirmed the reinstatement.

Matt Mullenweg has claimed to be back in charge of Automattic, just 48 hours after the company's board of directors voted to remove him from the CEO role. According to internal messages viewed by TechCrunch, Mullenweg told staff that the board is now

This sudden reversal follows a chaotic episode where Mullenweg accused his own CFO of orchestrating a

A rapid reversal of control

The initial move to sideline Mullenweg was described by the company as a

However, the situation shifted dramatically over the weekend. Mullenweg stated that the board had come back into agreement with him, asserting that he is once again in control of the organization. He characterized the intense 48-hour period as a potential misunderstanding, expressing respect for the individuals involved despite the conflict.

Staff access and internal changes

The practical implications of this power struggle are already visible in the company’s digital infrastructure. TechCrunch reports that Mark Davies’ Slack account has been deactivated. Furthermore, Mullenweg reportedly removed all other administrators from the company’s main Slack workspace, effectively centralizing communication control back into his own hands.

Public reaction to the turmoil

While Automattic has not issued a formal statement confirming the CEO's return, external observers have noted the unusual speed of the reinstatement. Mary Hubbard, the Executive Director of WordPress, confirmed the change on social media. Mullenweg himself has posted on X that he has survived five such

The Verge contacted Automattic for comment regarding the specific details of the board's vote and the deactivation of the CFO's access, but the company did not immediately respond. This incident highlights the significant risks associated with high-growth tech companies that rely heavily on a single founder for both technical vision and leadership stability.

Based on reporting by The Verge, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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