Elon Musk reacts to CEO Andy Byron’s ‘hilarious’ fake statement after ‘ColdplayGate’ scandal

“ColdplayGate”: Viral Kiss Cam Moment Sparks Corporate Scandal and Internet Frenzy

What started as a light-hearted moment during a Coldplay concert has spiraled into full-blown internet chaos, now known as “ColdplayGate.” Caught on the venue’s kiss cam were Andy Byron, CEO of tech company Astronomer, and the company’s HR head, Kristin Cabot—both reportedly married to other people. The camera zoomed in on the pair mid-concert, arms around each other and swaying closely. Their startled reaction and attempt to duck out of frame only fanned the flames. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin quipped from the stage, “They’re either having an affair or really shy,” igniting even more speculation.

The internet responded instantly. Within hours, users had identified the pair, uncovered their positions at Astronomer, and exposed their marital statuses. What could’ve passed as a cringeworthy but forgettable moment turned into a full-blown scandal, amplified by the duo’s high-ranking roles within the same company—and the fact that Cabot runs HR only raised the stakes.

So far, neither Byron nor Cabot has released a public statement addressing the viral moment. But that didn’t stop a fake apology from gaining traction online. The parody “statement” claimed to be from Byron—not apologizing for the romantic implications, but for being a Coldplay fan. It ended with the lyrics to “Fix You,” leaving social media users both confused and amused. Despite its absurdity, many believed it was real, adding to the digital circus.

Enter Elon Musk, never one to miss a viral opportunity. The Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) owner responded to the fake statement with a single crying-laughing emoji, boosting its visibility and further entrenching the moment in meme culture.

Ironically, this spectacle unfolds while Musk’s own company, X, is in turmoil: CEO Linda Yaccarino resigned, Grimes publicly criticized the platform, and Musk’s AI bot Grok made headlines for its unpredictable behavior. The incident underscores a strange truth about the internet in 2025—even minor corporate missteps can go viral, evolve into meme fodder, and become entertainment for millions worldwide.

“ColdplayGate” has become a case study in modern scandal—where HR violations, pop music, and meme culture collide in real time, and nobody is safe from the spectacle.