Elon Musk Polls X Users on Buying Ryanair After CEO Clash
Elon Musk has launched a public poll on X, asking users whether he should purchase European budget airline Ryanair. This move follows a heated exchange with the airline’s outspoken CEO, Michael O’Leary.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk’s poll on X asks users if he should buy Ryanair.
- The poll follows a public feud with Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.
- Over 1.2 million votes have been cast, with a majority favoring “Yes.”
- Ryanair has not yet issued an official response.
The Origin of the Feud
The clash began when Michael O’Leary, in an interview with the Financial Times, launched a sharp critique of Musk. He labeled the tech billionaire “egotistical” and dismissed Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology as “crap.” O’Leary also questioned the suitability of Tesla’s Cybertruck for the European market.
Musk’s Response and the Viral Poll
Musk fired back on his social media platform, posting, “Ryanair CEO is not *that* bright imo.” He then escalated the situation by sharing a direct poll to his millions of followers. The poll poses a simple question: “Should I buy Ryanair?” with “Yes” and “No” as the only options.
The response has been massive. As of the latest update, the poll has attracted over 1.2 million votes, with a significant majority leaning towards “Yes.”
A History of Poll-Driven Decisions
This is not Musk’s first time using social media to gauge public opinion for major business moves. In a notable precedent from 2022, he conducted a poll asking if he should sell 10% of his Tesla stock. Following the poll’s result, he proceeded with the multi-billion dollar sale.
About Ryanair and the Silence
Ryanair is a giant in European aviation, renowned as one of the continent’s largest low-cost carriers. Its business model is built on no-frills service and highly competitive pricing. Despite the viral nature of Musk’s poll, the airline has maintained silence and has not issued any public comment on the potential acquisition query.
