Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Matt Mullenweg Claims Control of Automattic After Ouster
Matt Mullenweg said he was running Automattic again after being placed on leave.
The company’s board had earlier made Mark Davies the temporary CEO.
Mullenweg said the board had changed its position within 48 hours.
However, the board had not confirmed that he was back.
He said he respected the people involved and hoped the disagreement was a misunderstanding.
He also suggested that Silver Lake may have been involved in the board’s decision.
Mullenweg is involved in a legal dispute with WP Engine.
He said he was looking for help moving some of his data and services away from Automattic.
Matt Mullenweg said Automattic’s board had reached agreement and that he was back in control.
The board had placed Mullenweg on paid leave days earlier and appointed Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies interim CEO.
Automattic’s board had not publicly confirmed Mullenweg’s claimed return at the time of reporting.
Mullenweg described the board’s decision as a conspiracy and said the situation might involve a misunderstanding.
He also said he was moving some Automattic-hosted data and services elsewhere amid a dispute involving WP Engine.
- Who
- Matt Mullenweg, Automattic’s board, Mark Davies, Silver Lake, and WP Engine are involved in the dispute.
- What
- Mullenweg claimed he had regained control of Automattic after the board placed him on leave.
- When
- The claim was posted early Friday, days after the leave of absence began.
- Where
- The statements appeared on Automattic’s Slack and on Reddit and X.
- Why
- The board’s reasons for placing Mullenweg on leave were not disclosed; Mullenweg said the board had acted behind his back and suggested the situation might be a misunderstanding.
Mullenweg’s Account
Board’s Unconfirmed Position
Control of Automattic
Mullenweg’s Account
Mullenweg announced that the board was back in agreement and that he was in control of the company.
Board’s Unconfirmed Position
The board had not confirmed his return, leaving his actual status unclear.
Reason for the leave
Mullenweg’s Account
Mullenweg said board members had conspired behind his back and suggested that much of the situation could be a misunderstanding.
Board’s Unconfirmed Position
The board’s reasons for placing him on paid leave were not disclosed in the report.
Outside involvement
Mullenweg’s Account
Mullenweg suggested that Silver Lake, the majority owner of WP Engine, was involved in the plan.
Board’s Unconfirmed Position
The article provides no confirmation from Silver Lake or the board of that allegation.
- Company
- Automattic
- Claimed status
- Mullenweg said he was back in control of Automattic.
- Interim CEO
- Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies was appointed interim CEO during Mullenweg’s leave.
- Leave status
- The board voted to place Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence.
- Board confirmation
- No confirmation of Mullenweg’s return had been shared by the board.
- Related dispute
- Automattic and Mullenweg are involved in a legal dispute with WP Engine.
- Data and services
- Mullenweg said he was seeking system administrators and security researchers to move some data and services hosted at Automattic elsewhere.