Matt Mullenweg tells Automattic employees in a Slack message that he is “back in control” of the company, shortly after the board places him on a paid leave of absence. TechCrunch reports it has seen the message and notes that Automattic has not yet confirmed the apparent reversal.
The Verge similarly reports that Mullenweg appears to be reinstated as CEO two days after being put on paid leave, citing the same Slack communication and referencing an earlier report from 404 Media. The Verge also adds that, in the Slack message, Mullenweg describes CFO Mark Davies as having “conspired” with the board, following the board action. Both outlets frame the development as a rapid change in leadership status communicated by Mullenweg directly to staff.
While both sources agree on the Slack message and the timeline from leave to reinstatement, neither outlet provides an official company statement confirming the board’s outcome or detailing the board’s reasoning in this stage of the dispute.
