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Technology

WordPress CEO Matt Mullenweg forced on leave

Matt Mullenweg has been placed on a paid leave of absence by Automattic’s board, with CFO Mark Davies stepping in as interim CEO.

The Briefly Pulse Desk September 9, 2026 1 min read
WordPress CEO Matt Mullenweg forced on leave
Editorial image sourced from techcrunch.com.

The update

Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, has removed CEO Matt Mullenweg from his position. The board announced that Mullenweg is on a paid leave of absence, with Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies assuming the role of interim CEO. Mullenweg confirmed the move in an internal Slack message, stating the decision was made without his consent and that he voted against it.

Why it matters

This leadership shakeup occurs at a critical time for the open-source ecosystem. Mullenweg has been a central figure in recent public disputes, including a high-profile trademark battle with a major WordPress host. The board’s intervention signals a significant shift in corporate governance and raises questions about the future direction of the platform and its community.

What to watch

Readers should monitor the official response from the WordPress.org project, which has stated that Mullenweg remains the leader of the open-source project. The resolution of the trademark dispute and the long-term stability of the company’s leadership structure remain key points of interest.

Sources

  • techcrunch.com — details on Mullenweg's internal message and board actions
  • theverge.com — confirmation of the interim CEO appointment and board statement

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