Wait, Enron is back? Seriously. If you saw a billboard in Houston recently or caught a viral clip of a guy getting a pie to the face while talking about energy grids, you’ve probably heard the name Connor Gaydos.
He’s the self-proclaimed CEO of Enron. Yes, that Enron. The one that became a global punchline for corporate fraud back in 2001.
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Most people think this is a glitch in the simulation. It’s not. But it’s also not quite what it looks like on the surface. Connor Gaydos isn't your typical suit-and-tie executive climbing the corporate ladder; he’s a 28-year-old from Arkansas who specializes in making the internet question reality.
The Man Behind the Curtain: Who is Connor Gaydos?
Before we get into the "new" Enron, you have to understand where Gaydos comes from. He isn't an energy tycoon. He’s a satirist. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s one of the masterminds behind Birds Aren’t Real.
You know the one. The conspiracy theory that claims the US government killed all real birds in the 1950s and replaced them with surveillance drones. It was a massive piece of performance art designed to mirror the absurdity of modern misinformation. Gaydos and his partner Peter McIndoe spent years "in character," doing interviews on major news networks while pretending the pigeon on the sidewalk was a robot.
So, when a company called The College Company—owned by Gaydos—bought the Enron trademark and logo for a measly $275 to $300 back in 2020, people should have seen the joke coming.
But Gaydos is playing a long game. He’s not just posting memes; he’s hosting "Power Summits" and talking about "micro-nuclear reactors" called the Enron Egg. It’s a weird, blurry line between a prank and a provocative commentary on how we trust (or don't trust) massive corporations.
Is the "New Enron" a Real Business?
Honestly, it’s complicated.
If you look at the official website or follow the LinkedIn updates for Enron CEO Connor Gaydos, the language is eerily perfect. It sounds exactly like the corporate jargon that led to the original collapse. They talk about "mastering social technologies" and "shaping narratives at scale."
Here is what we actually know:
- The Trademark: Gaydos legitimately owns the rights to the Enron name and the famous "E" logo.
- The Mission: He claims to be "fixing America's energy grid" and moving into Web3 and battery farms.
- The Reality: The fine print on many of these announcements often mentions "First Amendment protected parody."
Basically, Gaydos is using the Enron brand as a mirror. He’s asking: "If the most hated company in history came back today and used the right buzzwords, would you believe them?"
In some interviews, like his chat with Benzinga, he stays remarkably straight-faced. He talks about business ethics and transparency. He says the past is "prologue." It’s a masterful performance. He even got "pied" in the face during a staged (or seemingly staged) event that went viral, mimicking the famous 1998 incident with Bill Gates.
Why This Matters for 2026 Business Culture
You might think this is just a Gen Z kid having a laugh, but there’s a deeper point here. The original Enron scandal happened because people trusted a narrative they didn't understand. Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling built a house of cards out of "creative accounting" and complex financial structures.
Gaydos is recreating that "feeling" of a high-tech, revolutionary company.
He recently unveiled the Enron Egg, a supposed home nuclear reactor. He calls it the "iPhone of energy." It sounds amazing. It also sounds impossible. By branding it with the Enron logo, he’s forcing the audience to grapple with their own desire to believe in "the next big thing."
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The "Good Bones" Strategy
In a recent podcast, Gaydos mentioned that his father used to renovate houses and told him that all that matters is having a "strong foundation" or "good bones." He claims Enron has good bones.
It’s a hilarious, dark joke. Enron’s "foundation" was built on debt hidden in shell companies. By claiming he’s rebuilding on those bones, he’s poking fun at the way modern tech companies often ignore their own structural flaws in favor of "hype."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Relaunch
People keep waiting for the "scam" to happen. They think Gaydos is going to launch a meme coin or a rug-pull crypto project.
While the "Enron" accounts have definitely flirted with Web3 talk, the project seems more like a massive social experiment. It’s an exploration of brand equity. Does a brand name still have value if it’s synonymous with failure? Apparently, yes. The mere fact that we are talking about a dead company from 2001 proves that the Enron "brand" is still incredibly powerful, even if it’s radioactive.
Actionable Takeaways: What Can We Learn?
If you're a business owner or just someone following this weird saga, there are a few real lessons tucked inside the satire:
- Vetting is Mandatory: In an era of AI and "performance art" CEOs, you cannot take a LinkedIn title at face value. Always check the SEC filings and the "About" page fine print.
- Narrative Trumps Product: Gaydos has generated more buzz with a defunct logo and a few videos than most actual energy startups do with millions in funding. Narrative is the most powerful tool in business.
- The "Cringe" Factor Works: By leaning into the "cringe" of corporate culture, Gaydos has made himself un-cancelable. You can't shame someone who is already in on the joke.
The saga of Enron CEO Connor Gaydos isn't over yet. Whether he eventually turns this into a legitimate consulting firm or just keeps the prank going until the trademark expires, he has successfully hijacked the corporate news cycle.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start looking at companies not just for what they sell, but for how they are trying to make you feel. If it feels too good to be true—or if it sounds exactly like a 20-year-old ghost—it probably is.
Check the fine print. Watch the "CEO" interviews closely. Sometimes the most honest thing a businessman can tell you is that he's a parody.