Automattic's board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence

	Automattic's board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence(techcrunch.com)
	404 points by LeoPanthera 16 hours ago \| 273 comments
	tl;dr: Automattic's board voted to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave against his will, installing CFO Mark Davies as interim CEO; Mullenweg says he was given the resolution 50 minutes before the meeting and denied time for legal review. The move follows a turbulent stretch including the ongoing WP Engine lawsuit, mass severance-driven departures in 2024, and a 16% layoff in April 2025. Mullenweg remains on the board and continues to lead the WordPress.org open-source project.
	HN Discussion: ↑Removing Mullenweg is overdue given his harmful behavior and unforced errors as CEO ↑This is a major, difficult decision that will likely trigger retaliation from Mullenweg ↑Mullenweg needs a break or professional help after 23 years leading WordPress •The WordPress/Automattic community and industry itself is inherently dramatic and gossipy ↑Publicly accusing board members of conspiracy signals Mullenweg won't be returning