In a stunning development shaking the tech world, Matt Mullenweg, the visionary CEO and co-founder of WordPress.com owner Automattic, has been placed on a paid leave of absence. The move, first reported by 404 Media on September 9, 2026, comes amidst explosive allegations from Mullenweg himself, who claims a “conspiracy” orchestrated by Automattic’s chief financial officer and key board members.
Mullenweg Alleges Boardroom ‘Conspiracy’
According to an internal message obtained by 404 Media, Mullenweg asserts that Automattic CFO Mark Davies, in concert with board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker, engineered his removal. “They voted to put me on a paid leave of absence. I voted against that,” Mullenweg reportedly wrote, painting a picture of a dramatic internal power struggle.
This unexpected turn of events casts a shadow over one of the internet’s most influential figures. Mullenweg, who also co-founded the open-source WordPress.org project, has been at the helm of Automattic since 2014, guiding its expansion across a suite of web services.
Automattic Confirms Leadership Change, Appoints Interim CEO
Automattic has officially confirmed Mullenweg’s departure. In an emailed statement to The Verge, company spokesperson Megan Fox stated, “Matt Mullenweg is currently on leave from Automattic.” The company has moved swiftly to appoint an interim leader, with CFO Mark Davies stepping into the role of interim CEO.
“The Board has full confidence in Mark’s leadership and in the team’s ability to execute against the company’s priorities,” Fox added, signaling a unified front from the board despite Mullenweg’s claims. Notably, Mullenweg is expected to retain his seat on Automattic’s board, as reported by 404 Media.
Toni Schneider, one of the board members implicated in Mullenweg’s allegations, further elaborated on the decision via the company’s internal message board. “Automattic’s board has decided to ask Matt to step away from his CEO role and take a leave of absence,” Schneider confirmed. “We have asked Mark Davies to assume the interim CEO role while Matt is out. We’ve worked closely with Mark over the years and we’re confident he will steer the ship well while Matt is away.”
A History of Controversy: The WordPress Trademark Battle
This leadership upheaval is not Mullenweg’s first brush with significant internal and external conflict. In 2024, he spearheaded a highly public and contentious pressure campaign against a prominent WordPress host. This aggressive move deeply divided the open-source community and ignited a legal battle that, even in late 2026, remains unresolved.
The ongoing “WordPress fight over trademarks and open source” has been a defining narrative for the company and its founder, with previous reports from Emma Roth detailing the persistent nature of the dispute and even significant layoffs at Automattic in April 2025.
As Automattic navigates this turbulent period, the tech world watches closely to see how the company, and the broader WordPress ecosystem, will fare under new interim leadership and amidst the lingering questions surrounding Mullenweg’s sudden leave.
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