# Automattic board ousts Matt Mullenweg in 33‑hour coup, sparking control concerns

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-18T17:06:32Z · updated 2026-09-18T17:09:56Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/automattic-board-ousts-matt-mullenweg-in-33hour-coup-sparking-control

## Summary

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei outlined a plan to "pace the frontier" of AI development by using independent safety evaluators and coordinating among AI labs in democratic countries. The proposal has drawn some industry backing but also pushback from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang.

In a separate episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, the hosts discussed Automattic’s boardroom shake‑up that saw Matt Mullenweg removed in a 33‑hour ouster. Golden parachute deals were struck, and observers say the move could give Mullenweg even more control over the WordPress platform that powers much of the web. The conversation also touched on May Mobility’s SPAC, which may raise more than $300 million to become a public robotaxi company, though the hosts warned of significant caveats.

## Key points

- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei proposes independent safety evaluators and democratic‑country coordination to “pace the frontier.”
- Automattic’s board removed Matt Mullenweg in a 33‑hour coup, with golden parachute deals that may increase his control.
- May Mobility’s SPAC aims to raise over $300 million to become a public robotaxi company, but faces significant caveats.

## Why it matters

The Automattic leadership shake‑up could reshape control of the WordPress ecosystem, while Anthropic’s self‑policing proposal signals a new governance model for AI labs; May Mobility’s SPAC highlights growing capital interest in autonomous‑vehicle services.

## Sources

1. [Automattic’s 33-Hour Coup, and can AI labs police themselves?](https://techcrunch.com/podcast/automattics-33-hour-coup-and-can-ai-labs-police-themselves) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-09-18)
2. [Dario Amodei and other AI leaders want to ‘Pace the Frontier’ but...how?](https://techcrunch.com/video/dario-amodei-and-other-ai-leaders-want-to-pace-the-frontier-buthow) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-09-18)

Part of the developing story: [Royal Push Tech Turmoil AI Governance Saga](https://digestai.news/thread/king-charles-iii-hosts-ai-executives-in-scotland) (4 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Automattic board ousts Matt Mullenweg in 33‑hour coup, sparking control concerns", 18 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/automattic-board-ousts-matt-mullenweg-in-33hour-coup-sparking-control

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