Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary brands Musk’s X a ‘cesspit’ in ongoing row with tech billionaire
- by Independent
- Jan 21, 2026
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âElon Musk apparently took great umbrage and resorted to insulting me on X at the weekend, calling me an idiot,â Mr OâLeary said at a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday as he launched a seat sale that is claimed to be âonly available for Elon Musk and any other âidiotsâ on Xâ.
He also said Mr Muskâs insults of him this week have boosted Ryanair bookings âsignificantlyâ.
âIt is very good for our bookings and you know, we love these PR spats that drive bookings on Ryanair,â he told reporters.
âIâm sure it does wonders for Elon Musk and his X, or whatever subscribers he has on X as well, to be fighting with somebody.
âBut you know, as long as it doesnât involve safety, and weâve never compromised on safety, any of these spats are great for bookings and great for awareness all over Europe.
âTheyâre up about 2% or 3% in the last five days, which, given our volumes, is a very significant boost.â.
Regarding X (formerly Twitter), Mr OâLeary said: âI do believe social media, X in particular, is a cesspit.
âI am not a member, never subscribed, donât participate in it. But I find my personal objection to social media is anonymity.â
Asked about the prospect of a social media ban for under 16s, Mr OâLeary also said that there was no point but argued anonymity should be banned by governments.
âI think the most recent controversy with Grok undressing children or undressing women is, frankly, offensiveâ, he said. I donât understand why governments donât make it illegal. Women and children, and the occasional man I presume as well, should be protected from not having your images nudified.
âThereâs enough porn out there for those who want to watch porn.â
He added: âAm I happy for Ryanair to be on it? Yes, I am. We have to be out there, whether itâs on Facebook or Instagram or God help us, weâre on TikTok.
âWe have one of the biggest corporate accounts on TikTok, which I think, personally, is the greatest amount of rubbish Iâve ever seen. Talking airplanes, Jesus, is this what the world is coming to?â
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