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'Wildly creepy': Internet split as tech tycoon makes female plane passenger $100K offer

Steve Kirsch is a tech millionaire and businessman who created the first versions of the optical mouse back in 1980

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tech mogul Steve Kirsch caused a social media uproar for allegedly offering a woman $100,000 to take off her face mask on board a Delta flight. The Veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur took to Twitter to explain the hilarious ordeal followed by a selfie showing him smiling on board the flight on Friday, March 10.

“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,” the millionaire wrote on Twitter. “No joke. This was after I explained they don’t work. She works for a pharma company.”

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Kirsch then followed up his initial tweet with a lengthy thread explaining the interaction with the anonymous woman. “I started the bidding at $100,” the millionaire wrote. “And I pointed out that when she removed the mask for eating and drinking, she could be infected with one breath. So she had full disclosure,” he said of the mask-clad traveler. “She took off her mask as soon as the breakfast was served!!!! Because everyone knows you can’t get infected while you are eating!!” he sarcastically added, before concluding, “Maybe next time I’ll sit next to someone who had an account at Silicon Valley Bank.”

Who is Steve Kirsch?

Kirsch is a tech millionaire and businessman who created the first versions of the optical mouse back in 1980. He co-founded Frame Technology Corp, which was bought in 1995, by Adobe. He made a fortune as the founder of Infoseek, an early search engine that was considered the Google of its time, and sold it to Disney in 1999. In 2007, his net worth was estimated at $230 million.

Steve Kirsch's past controversy

In 2020, Kirsch founded the Covid-19 Early Treatment Fund (CETF). He poured in $1 million of his own money and brought in donations from fellow Silicon Valley luminaries. However, later the tech mogul became skeptical and was accused of authorizing COVID vaccines and spreading “misinformation” about the pandemic. This move prompted scores of backlash and caused many of his professional associates to distance themselves from him.

Internet users had a field day with his post. Some accused Kirsch of being a creep, while others claimed they would accept the money. One user wrote, "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!" Another added, "How is her mask wearing affecting you?" A third mockingly wrote, "Maybe you have bad breath?"

Others were less offended by Kirsch's tweet and made light-humored tweets. One such user wrote, "Can you please provide your upcoming flight schedule and seat numbers? Thanks," while another joked, "Steve, i will remove mine for half that! Oh wait, i wouldn't have one on... hmmm."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online