Tech millionaire’s “creepy” $100k offer sparks wave of backlash
US tech millionaire and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Kirsch has been slammed for making a “creepy” offer towards a female passenger who was travelling on the same plane.
In a tweet, Kirsch claimed that he offered the stranger $US100,000 to remove her face mask for the flight.
"I am on board a Delta flight right now. The person sitting next to me in first-class refused $100,000 to remove her mask for the entire flight. No joke," he tweeted.
Kirsch, who became infamous for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines throughout the pandemic, said that he "explained" to his seatmate that masks "don’t work".
He also claims that the woman worked for a pharmaceutical company, and he started by offering her $US100 but worked his way up.
She rejected his offer, but Kirsch persisted and said that if she removed the mask to eat and drink she "she could be infected with one breath".
Many have slammed the entrepreneur for his actions.
“Ew. Do you make a habit of offering money to random women to remove coverings from their bodies mid-air?" posted Jess Piper, a former Democrat state representative nominee, in her response to Kirsch's post.
“Stop bugging people who are minding their own business with your creepy nonsense,” commented Alastair McAlpine, an infectious disease expert.
"This is wildly creepy, you get that, right? Every part of this. From the request, to the expression, to the fact you decided to tweet this!" commented one user.
“All you’re doing here is admitting you patronised and harassed a woman who made a decision she thought was best for her,” wrote another.
Last week, Kirsch tried to pull the same stunt on a different flight.
He tweeted that he offered his seatmates $US10,000 to remove their masks for the flight, but they also declined his offer.
"Maybe I should offer $100,000 next time? This can quantify the amount of brainwashing," he added.
Delta airlines have said that masks are optional for both domestic and international travel unless required by “applicable governments”.
American federal law no longer requires masks be worn in airports or on planes, but certain cities and states may still make it a requirement at their airports.
Image: Twitter