Why Elon Musk and Ryanair's CEO—Two So-Called 'Idiots'—Are Clashing

Main Points

• An ongoing public dispute between Elon Musk and Ryanair's CEO has brought both companies into the spotlight.
• Ryanair has capitalized on the situation by launching ticket promotions, while Musk playfully suggested he might purchase the airline.

Elon Musk and Michael O'Leary of Ryanair have turned their recent disagreement into a public spectacle, with audiences around the world watching their exchanges unfold.

The conflict, which began as a disagreement between SpaceX and Ryanair, has escalated as both leaders—known for their bold public statements—have continued to provoke each other through interviews and social media. The latest round started on January 14, when Ryanair announced it would not install Starlink internet on its planes, citing fuel efficiency and low demand for Wi-Fi on short flights. After a user on X (formerly Twitter) referenced a Reuters article quoting O'Leary, Musk responded by labeling the Ryanair CEO as "misinformed."

Why This Is Relevant

This high-profile exchange is consistent with both CEOs' history of leveraging media attention to promote their brands. Their mutual insults have likely generated positive publicity and business for both sides.

O'Leary intensified the feud during an interview on Irish radio, dismissing Musk as "an idiot—very wealthy, but still an idiot." Musk fired back on social media, calling O'Leary "an utter idiot" and suggesting he should be fired.

The banter continued online, with Ryanair's X account poking fun at Musk over a reported outage, joking, "Perhaps you need Wi-Fi @elonmusk?" Musk replied, "Should I buy Ryan Air and put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge?"

The playful rivalry escalated further, culminating in Ryanair launching a "Big Idiot seat sale" promotion. O'Leary later credited Musk for the surge in ticket sales, stating at a press conference that the publicity had a significant impact.

Musk has previously responded favorably to Ryanair's marketing on X, indicating that he, too, is not taking the feud too seriously. He has also made lighthearted remarks about acquiring other companies, such as Coca-Cola, Manchester United, and Hasbro. SpaceX declined to comment when contacted by Investopedia.

Impact on Business

The humorous exchanges have coincided with notable financial gains for both executives. Ryanair's ADRs (RYAAY) have climbed over 50% since the dispute began, while Tesla's stock (TSLA) has also seen a 10% increase during the same period. The attention has also spotlighted SpaceX's offerings ahead of a potential major IPO this year, and has given users of X another reason to engage with the platform.