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Elon Musk demands the firing of Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary

Jan 20, 2026, 4:54 PM110
(Update: Jan 21, 2026, 5:03 PM)
business magnate and investor
Irish low-cost airline

Elon Musk demands the firing of Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary

  • Elon Musk criticized Ryanair's CEO for the lack of in-flight WiFi services, calling for O'Leary's dismissal.
  • In response, Michael O'Leary labeled Musk an 'idiot,' asserting he is uninformed about aviation.
  • Musk's Twitter poll surrounding the potential purchase of Ryanair has drawn major interest, with many supporting his idea.
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In recent days, a public dispute has escalated between Elon Musk and Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary, starting with Musk's criticism regarding the airline's lack of in-flight WiFi services. O'Leary, in response to Musk's comments, called him an 'idiot' and asserted that Musk lacks understanding regarding flights and associated costs for implementing such services. This exchange highlighted the tensions between the tech entrepreneur and the budget airline sector, emphasizing how critiques from influential figures can stir reactions from corporate leaders. Furthermore, Musk took to the social media platform X, where he questioned the possibility of purchasing Ryanair, proposing that someone named Ryan should lead the airline. His jest garnered significant engagement from his followers, with around 76.8% supporting his idea according to a poll Musk conducted. This incident illustrates the evolving dynamics between traditional industries and tech moguls, showcasing how business arbitration can spill into public forums. The confrontation reached its zenith when O'Leary rejected Musk's recommendation of utilizing SpaceX’s Starlink for internet access on flights due to the associated high costs.

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