We’ll take it: a TikToker rallies pledges to buy Spirit Airlines after its abrupt weekend collapse

In a surprising turn of events, Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations over the weekend, canceling all flights and leaving 17,000 employees without jobs. Ticket holders were stunned as the airline advised them to avoid the airport altogether. Amidst the chaos, one individual saw an opportunity for a unique solution. Hunter Peterson, a voice actor with a history of grievances against the airline, took to TikTok with a bold proposition: what if 20% of American adults pooled their resources to purchase Spirit Airlines? He branded the initiative as "Spirit 2.0: Owned by the People." Within hours, he launched a makeshift website, a task he humorously admitted took just an hour to put together. By the following day, an impressive 36,000 supporters had pledged nearly $23 million, causing his website to crash under the unexpected traffic. It's important to note that these pledges are non-binding and do not represent actual funds. Moreover, acquiring and restarting an airline typically requires billions of dollars—an aspect Peterson is well aware of. In a follow-up video, he playfully sought the assistance of aviation lawyers and public relations experts, making a simple plea: "Help?" While he acknowledges his limitations, he reassured his followers of his commitment to the undertaking, saying, "You’re committing to this bit, so I’m committing to this bit."