An ethnic Somali woman enrolled at a U.S. college says she has been misinterpreted after a video in which she appeared to threaten Elon Musk went viral, and she claims the controversy has put her in danger.
The dispute began after a December 31 TikTok video by Fardowsa Muhumed in which she said, “I wouldn’t worry too much about him. He about to die.” The clip included English mixed with Somali language and gestures. Elon Musk responded publicly with “Then it is war,” escalating attention on social media.
On January 2, Muhumed posted a follow‑up video stating that her remarks were taken “greatly out of context” and that she never intended to threaten Musk’s life. In the video, she read from a prepared statement in which she said she was misunderstood, that the clip circulating online was edited from a longer stream, and that her comments were meant to encourage health awareness as people age.
She said the controversy has led to doxxing and threats against her, leaving her fearful for her safety and future. “This whole situation has put me in truly great danger,” she said, claiming private information about her has spread online.
Muhumed also referenced earlier remarks criticizing wrongdoing in the Somali community in Minnesota and made disparaging comments about Americans, according to social media posts. Her critics seized on those comments in the aftermath of the Musk exchange.
Muhumed graduated from an Oklahoma high school and has pursued advocacy work for migrants. According to her school bio, she was focused on addressing racial inequities in healthcare and helped organize a cultural fashion show representing diverse communities.
Reports indicate she is now enrolled in medical school. The controversy has drawn attention to broader debates over social media expression, free speech, and how viral clips can influence public perception. Musk, a vocal critic of aspects of U.S. immigration policy, has both spoken in favor of skilled worker visas such as H‑1B and against high levels of refugee resettlement.
The federal government’s refugee admissions policy has shifted in recent years. In 2025, the number of refugees allowed into the United States was significantly reduced compared with previous years, reflecting changes in executive policy.
