On 11 September 2026, WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg announced in a company Slack message that he had regained control of Automattic after the board placed him on leave. Mullenweg described the event as a potential fifth coup attempt against him, according to reports from TechCrunch and 404 Media.
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Matt Mullenweg tells Automattic staff in Slack he's back in control after ouster L: https:// techcrunch.com/2026/09/11/matt -mullenweg-tells-automattic-staff-in-slack-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/ C: https:// news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4 9660104 posted on 2026.09.11 at 11:29:35 (c=1, p=4)
Workers at Automattic, which owns WordPress.com and several other platforms, have said the company has endured years of chaotic leadership decisions.
You thought he was dead, that everyone was safe, but no, the monster’s back up again. Best horror movie of 2026. https:// techcrunch.com/2026/09/11/matt -mullenweg-tells-automattic-staff-in-slack-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/
Sources: in an internal Slack message Matt Mullenweg claims he is back in control of Automattic; on X, he says this may have been fifth coup attempt against him (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch) https:// techcrunch.com/2026/09/11/matt -mullenweg-tells-automattic-staff-in-slack-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/ http:// mediagazer.com/260911/p4#a2609 11p4
Matt Mullenweg has posted a message to Automattic’s Slack, claiming he is back in control as CEO of the WordPress[.]com parent company, according to a screenshot of the message seen by TechCrunch. https:// techcrunch.com/2026/09/11/matt -mullenweg-tells-automattic-staff-in-slack-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/?ref=404media.com
Matt Mullenweg tells (trolls?) Automattic staff, saying he's back in control after CEO ouster | TechCrunch Just days after Automattic's board placed him on leave, the WordPress co-founder announced to employees on Slack that he has regained control as CEO. However, the board has not officially confirmed the reinstatement, and his erratic messages have left staff unsure if the claim is real. https: