A Somali TikToker has said she is “scared for her future” after facing intense backlash and threats over a viral video in which she appeared to say that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was “about to die”.
Fardowsa Muhumed, whose clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, has now released a detailed statement and follow-up videos clarifying that her words were taken out of context and were never intended as a threat.
‘My words were misinterpreted’
In the original clip, Muhumed is seen speaking mostly in Somali while reacting to images of Musk in swimwear. Toward the end of the stream, she briefly switches to English and says, “I wouldn’t worry too much about him. He about to die.”
The statement was widely interpreted as a threat. Several conservative social media accounts amplified the clip, with some calling for an investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Addressing the controversy, Muhumed said the video had been edited and stripped of its original context. “On December 31, 2025, my life took a tragic turn. I was badly misinterpreted and misheard on an unviral clip,” she said.
“I want to make myself clear: I never intended or even aimed to threaten the life of Elon Musk. I’m not a person that carries around hate,” she added.
Musk’s response escalated situation
The controversy intensified after Musk responded to the viral clip on X with the words, “Then it is war.” Muhumed said this reaction caused her to panic.
“Elon is a very powerful man and has an endless amount of supporters. This will forever be a losing match for me,” she said in a video statement.
She claimed that following the exchange, her private information began circulating online and she started receiving hundreds of threatening messages. “I truly fear for my future,” she said, adding that the situation has put her personal safety at risk.
Says message was about body positivity
Muhumed insisted that her comments were meant to promote kindness and body positivity, not violence. “My message was meant to encourage kindness towards our bodies and toward one another if you want to live a long, luxurious life,” she said. “Instead, that message was twisted and villainised.”
The backlash also comes amid heightened online tensions surrounding Musk’s recent criticism of alleged fraud cases involving Somali-run organisations in the US, which have resulted in arrests and investigations by federal agencies.
Ongoing online debate
The incident has sparked wider debate about viral misinformation, edited clips, and the risks faced by individuals who become the focus of large-scale online outrage.
Muhumed said she hopes her clarification will be heard. “Me and Elon Musk’s lives are worlds apart,” she said. “My voice has been taken from me.”