Despite spending the last seven years shoveling tens of billions into a share repurchase initiative to beef up its stock price – driven in part by a $9 billion bailout of the heels of the 2008 financial meltdown – Boeing shares have plunged 57 percent in March alone. Now, as the global travel industry hits rock bottom amid the coronavirus scare, Boeing is looking for “tens of billions” in government loan guarantees, according to Reuters – in other words: another bailout.

While US President Donald Trump appears ready to fulfill the request, saying on Tuesday “We have to absolutely help Boeing,” many online were up in arms over the multi-billion dollar ask, insisting the company is undeserving of aid after borrowing and blowing billions to prop up its stocks.

“Thanks to the Fed's artificially low interest rates, Boeing borrowed billions to buy back its own overpriced stock,”wrote market analyst Peter Schiff. “Now it's seeking a federal bailout to avoid selling that stock at a loss. Since the Republicans are Democratic Socialist too, Boeing's bailout is likely in the bag.”

Critics also noted that problems with Boeing’s ill-fated 737 Max airliner – involved in a series of fatal crashes last year that left 346 people dead – remain unresolved, arguing the company shouldn’t receive a penny in “corporate welfare” after such catastrophic negligence.

“NO bailout for Boeing! Their incompetence brought this on. Help people first over corporations,” one user said.