Automattic has confirmed that WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg returned as chairman and CEO after the board voted earlier in the week to place him on paid leave. The company had said Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies would serve as interim CEO with the board’s full confidence, but Mullenweg remained involved, removed other Slack administrators and told employees he was back in control. A company spokesperson later said Mullenweg had the board’s full support, while Mullenweg described the episode on X as likely the fifth time he had faced a "coup." Automattic has not addressed reports that board member Toni Schneider stepped down, and the company’s board composition may still be changing.