Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Musk and O'Leary Feud Over Ryanair Takeover
Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary are having a big argument on social media.
It started when O'Leary said Musk's internet service, Starlink, was too expensive for Ryanair.
Musk called O'Leary an idiot, and O'Leary called Musk an idiot back.
Musk then joked about buying Ryanair and putting someone named Ryan in charge.
He even asked his followers on X (Twitter) if he should do it, and most people said yes.
Ryanair is a public company, so Musk would need to buy a lot of shares to take control.
Right now, it's all just talk, but people are having fun with the idea.
Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary engaged in a public feud on social media.
The dispute began over Ryanair's rejection of Starlink internet service due to cost concerns.
Musk called O'Leary an 'utter idiot' and suggested buying Ryanair and firing O'Leary.
O'Leary dismissed Musk's ideas, calling him an 'idiot' and criticizing Starlink's costs.
Musk conducted a poll on X, with 76.9% of respondents supporting the idea of buying Ryanair.
- Who
- Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary
- What
- Public feud and potential takeover of Ryanair
- When
- Ongoing social media exchange in January 2026
- Where
- Global, with social media interactions on X (Twitter)
- Why
- Disagreement over Starlink internet services on Ryanair flights
- Company
- Ryanair Holdings plc
- Ownership
- Publicly traded, 70% institutional investors
- CEO
- Michael O'Leary
- Musk's Stake
- None (as of now)
- Starlink Cost
- $200M-$250M per year for installation
- Passengers
- 206 million (2025)
- Fleet Size
- Over 600 aircraft
- Poll Results
- 76.9% in favor of Musk buying Ryanair
Sources
Who owns Ryanair? Elon Musk ‘wants to put a Ryan in charge’ as takeover buzz grows
Elon Musk to buy Ryanair over X poll verdict? 5 times the billionaire has taken crucial decisions based on votes
Musk–Ryanair feud turns X outage into viral spectacle
Why is Elon Musk looking to buy Irish low-cost airline Ryanair?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk To Purchase Low-Cost Irish Carrier Ryanair Over X Poll Verdict?
Elon Musk Polls X On Buying Ryanair After Spat With CEO
‘He’s an Idiot’: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary slams Elon Musk as takeover threat goes viral
After spat with CEO and calling him an idiot, Elon Musk asks if he should buy Ryanair
Elon Musk asks if he should buy Ryanair as brawl with CEO runs on
‘Great Idiots seat sale for Elon’: Ryanair CEO brutally roasts Musk as feud over airline ownership spirals
Elon Musk Hints at Buying Ryanair Amid Starlink Spat
