The online world witnessed a fiery clash between two business titans this week. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary launched a scathing attack on Elon Musk, calling the tech billionaire "an idiot." This explosive comment capped off a viral social media exchange that captivated millions.
A Playful Jab Escalates Quickly
It all started when X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, experienced another service outage. Users found themselves unable to refresh their feeds. Irish budget airline Ryanair saw an opportunity for some cheeky banter.
From its official account, Ryanair posted a message directed at X's owner. "Perhaps you need Wi-Fi @elonmusk?" the airline quipped. What began as a simple joke quickly spiraled into a major online event.
Musk Fires Back with Takeover Threat
Elon Musk did not ignore the jab. He responded with a sarcastic comment of his own. Musk wrote, "Should I buy Ryan Air and put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge?" His post immediately went viral, racking up more than 4.4 million views.
The exchange sparked a flood of memes and reactions from users across the platform. People weighed in with humorous and critical takes on both billionaires and the airline industry.
The CEO's Blunt Assessment
The situation intensified when Michael O'Leary addressed the speculation during an interview with Irish radio station Newstalk. The Ryanair chief was asked about potential collaboration with Musk's Starlink satellite internet service for in-flight connectivity.
O'Leary dismissed the idea outright. He offered a brutally honest opinion of the X and Tesla CEO. "I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk," O'Leary stated on air. "He's an idiot, very wealthy, but he's still an idiot."
Why Ryanair Rejects Starlink
O'Leary elaborated on the financial reasons behind his stance. He explained that installing satellite internet would require fitting an aerial antenna on every aircraft in Ryanair's fleet.
This upgrade, he estimated, would cost the airline between $200 and $250 million annually. "That's about one extra dollar per passenger," O'Leary calculated. He emphasized that Ryanair simply cannot afford those additional costs.
The CEO also pointed to customer behavior. He noted that Ryanair passengers are unwilling to pay for onboard internet access. "If it's free, they'll use it. But they won't pay one euro each to use the internet. So, we're not putting it on board," he concluded.
Musk's Final Retort
O'Leary's remarks soon surfaced on X, prompting another response from Elon Musk. The tech mogul shared a post referencing the Ryanair CEO's comments. Musk wrote a brief but sharp retort: "Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot. Fire him."
This public spat highlights the growing tensions between traditional industries and tech disruptors. It also showcases how social media can turn corporate banter into a global spectacle. The exchange between O'Leary and Musk demonstrates that even billionaires are not immune to online feuds that capture the public's imagination.
