Fraud to Fashion: Enron Is Selling Hoodies In A “Comeback” Nobody Asked For
Enron, the name that once epitomized corporate greed and fraudulent excess, has resurfaced—this time as an elaborate parody. The infamous energy giant that collapsed in 2001 after one of the largest accounting scandals in U.S. history has reappeared, sporting a sleek website, social media presence, and even a countdown clock promising something “very special.”
But dig deeper, and you’ll find this is no corporate resurrection—it’s carefully staged satire designed to poke fun at corporate culture, crypto hype, and the public’s endless fascination with comebacks.
The website, Enron.com, rebranded the failed company with all the trappings of a modern corporate relaunch: lofty promises about solving global energy crises, buzzwords like “permissionless innovation,” and corporate platitudes about transparency and leadership. The site even features a press release touting Enron’s “bold new vision,” complete with “key pillars” emphasizing renewable energy, decentralized technology, and forgiveness—a cheeky nod to the company’s scandal-ridden history.
A video titled “I Am Enron” was released on the company’s social media accounts. The minute-long clip features generic stock footage of rockets, dancers, and cityscapes, paired with dramatic narration. While the imagery and tone might feel sincere at first glance, its over-the-top nature hints at its satirical undertones.
Adding to the spectacle is Enron’s online store, which offers branded hoodies, hats, and water bottles with slogans like “You’ve Got Great Energy.” Prices are steep—a hoodie costs $118—suggesting that the true purpose of this revival might be selling merchandise.
Parody, Satire, or a Crypto Play?
Despite the polished aesthetic, the new Enron clearly states on its website that it is a parody. A disclaimer on the homepage reads: “The information on the website is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.”
This revelation ties the new Enron to The College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC co-founded by Connor Gaydos, one of the creators of the viral satirical movement Birds Aren’t Real. That movement, which jokingly claims that birds are government surveillance drones, is a Gen Z-driven phenomenon rooted in internet humor.
While Enron’s relaunch is primarily a parody, some speculate that it might also be a commentary on corporate culture, the crypto craze, and public gullibility. The website’s references to “decentralized technology” and “permissionless innovation” have fueled rumors that the parody might extend to launching a satirical cryptocurrency or NFT. A now-deleted post on Enron’s X (formerly Twitter) account teased: “We do not have any token or coin (yet). Stay tuned.”
The response to Enron’s parody relaunch has been mixed. Critics argue that using a name synonymous with financial ruin trivializes the immense harm caused by the original company. When Enron filed for bankruptcy in December 2001, it destroyed thousands of jobs, wiped out retirement savings, and left a lasting scar on corporate America. For many, this parody feels like an insult to those who suffered.
Financial analyst Molly White (@molly0xFFF) expressed frustration: “For those who’ve seen the supposed Enron relaunch/crypto project: the website’s terms of use say it’s parody. TL;DR someone thinks it’s a good and funny idea to make a big joke out of a company that ruined people.”
Others view the stunt as clever satire, using the infamous name to mock modern tech and crypto culture, which some critics argue has parallels to Enron’s past—promising the world while delivering little of substance.
The “New” Enron
The “new” Enron’s satirical nature also raises questions about how far society has come—or hasn’t—since the original company’s collapse. The relaunch coincides with Bitcoin nearing $100,000 and a Nasdaq driven by hype around artificial intelligence. In this frothy environment, the exaggerated promises of Enron 2.0 feel eerily similar to the speculative mania that marked both the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and the crypto booms of recent years.
Enron’s 2001 collapse remains one of the most infamous scandals in U.S. history. Once a darling of Wall Street, the company’s use of fraudulent accounting practices to hide debt ultimately led to its bankruptcy, costing employees and investors billions. The scandal also catalyzed significant regulatory reforms, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, aimed at preventing corporate fraud.
For survivors of the Enron debacle, this parody might reopen old wounds. Yet for a younger generation, it’s a reminder of a scandal they’ve only read about in history books—now repurposed as a meme.
A countdown clock on the Enron website suggests an announcement in a week’s time, though it’s unclear whether the satire will extend beyond merchandise sales.
Information for this story was found via CNN, Seeking Alpha, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
