Elon Musk’s Latest Poll Sparks Ryanair Acquisition Rumors
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been stirring the pot again. This time, he has turned to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to ask users about the possibility of acquiring Ryanair after a contentious dispute with the airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, over the use of SpaceX’s Starlink service.
The public feud escalated after O’Leary rejected the use of Starlink broadband for Ryanair’s flights, citing concerns over fuel efficiency. Musk retaliated by calling O’Leary’s views “misinformed” and took the matter to social media. In a bold move, Musk polled X users on whether to buy Ryanair, an airline valued at approximately $35 billion.
A Parallel to the Twitter Acquisition?
The debate has Tesla shareholders and analysts on edge as memories of Musk’s Twitter acquisition in 2022 linger. Musk funded that $44 billion purchase by selling a significant portion of his Tesla shares, leading to stock volatility and investor uncertainty.
If Musk were to seriously consider acquiring Ryanair, it might compel him to liquidate more Tesla shares. This could amount to around 5% of his $740 billion net worth. While the chances of the Ryanair deal materializing are slim, Musk has a track record of turning even the most speculative ideas into reality.
Market Reactions Amid Broader Economic Concerns
Speculation aside, Tesla stock dropped 4.2% on Tuesday, though the decline was attributed to broader market concerns. News of proposed tariffs tied to Greenland acquisition plans under former President Trump sent the S&P 500 down by 2.1%, with the Nasdaq following suit at a 2.4% dip.
Production Timeline for Tesla’s Cybercab and Optimus
In addition to the Ryanair rumors, Musk provided updates on Tesla’s product pipeline. He confirmed that production for the highly anticipated Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot would start sluggishly before scaling up significantly over the next few years.
The Cybercab, designed as a two-seater robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, is projected to enter volume production by 2026. Meanwhile, Optimus humanoid robots are slated to begin production later this year, with the aim of becoming a major revenue stream for Tesla beyond its core electric vehicle business.
What This Means for the Lifestyle of Tesla Shareholders
For investors and Tesla enthusiasts, Musk’s diversified ventures continue to be a double-edged sword. While the innovation keeps Tesla at the forefront of technology, the CEO’s involvement in other speculative projects often impacts Tesla’s stock performance. Whether it’s Starlink, xAI, or the potential Ryanair acquisition, Musk’s moves embody his high-risk, high-reward philosophy.
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