Elon Musk Polls X Users on Buying Ryanair After CEO Clash
Elon Musk has asked X users if he should buy budget airline Ryanair, following a public spat with its CEO Michael O’Leary. The poll has drawn over 1.1 million votes, with a majority supporting the idea.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk posted a poll asking X users if he should buy Ryanair.
- The move came after Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called X a “crap platform” and stopped advertising.
- Over 1.1 million votes were cast, with 58.1% voting ‘Yes’.
- Musk retaliated by mocking Ryanair’s customer service.
The Provocative Poll
Musk’s simple question, “Should I buy Ryanair?”, quickly went viral. At the time of reporting, 58.1% of the 1.1 million voters said ‘Yes’, while 41.9% said ‘No’.
Root of the Conflict: O’Leary’s Criticism
The poll was a direct response to sharp criticism from Ryanair’s outspoken CEO. In an interview with POLITICO, Michael O’Leary explained why his airline stopped advertising on X.
“We won’t advertise on X because it is a crap platform… It is full of whackos, and the problem with X is you’re dealing with a lunatic,” O’Leary said, taking aim at Musk’s leadership.
O’Leary cited brand safety concerns and the platform’s association with controversial content as the primary reasons.
Musk’s Retort on Customer Service
Musk fired back with a jab at Ryanair’s reputation. On X, he posted:
“Ryanair is whatever the exact opposite of customer service is.”
Broader Tensions Between Brands and X
This exchange underscores the wider conflict between major corporations and X under Musk’s ownership. Several high-profile companies have paused advertising on the platform due to similar concerns over content moderation and brand alignment.
While Musk’s acquisition poll is likely tongue-in-cheek, it has ignited a significant conversation online about corporate feuds, platform governance, and the power of social media polls.
