Matt Mullenweg, founder of Automattic, has reportedly returned as CEO just two days after being removed from the position, according to multiple sources. The dramatic reversal comes amid claims of a "coup" attempt within the company.
A Swift Reinstatement
Mullenweg, who has led Automattic—the parent company of WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce—since its founding in 2005, was initially reported to have been ousted earlier this week. However, by Wednesday, he was back at the helm, posting about the events on social media.
In a post, Mullenweg referred to the brief leadership change as a "coup" attempt, though he did not provide specific details about who was involved or what triggered the initial decision.
Context and Implications
The incident highlights ongoing tensions within Automattic, which has faced challenges in recent years, including restructuring and competition in the website-building space. Mullenweg's return may signal a reaffirmation of his leadership, but questions remain about the stability of the company's executive team.
As of 2026, Automattic remains a key player in the open-source WordPress ecosystem, which powers over 40% of the web. Any leadership upheaval could have significant implications for the platform's future direction.
What's Next
It is unclear whether the board or investors will take further action. Mullenweg has not commented beyond his social media posts. Automattic has not issued an official statement.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
via The Verge