Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has issued a stark declaration of "war" in response to an online video that appeared to threaten his life. The incident, which has ignited a firestorm on social media, stems from a now-deleted TikTok livestream by a Somali-American woman.
The Viral Threat and Musk's Fiery Response
The controversy began when a clip from a TikTok livestream was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user known as DogeDesigner. In the video, a TikToker who used the name "Dowza.z" is heard stating in English that the tech billionaire is "about to die" soon, adding she "wouldn't worry too much about him." The woman was reportedly switching between Somali and English during the stream, discussing Musk's recent criticisms of certain Somali-run businesses.
Elon Musk, perceiving the comment as a direct death threat, replied succinctly: "Then it is war." He has since pinned this exchange to the top of his X profile, ensuring maximum visibility. The pinned post has amassed a staggering 44 million views and counting, according to platform metrics.
Political Backing and Calls for Action
The incident quickly drew reactions from prominent conservative voices in the United States. The popular account Libs of TikTok shared the clip, urging the FBI to investigate the matter. DogeDesigner, who originally posted the clip, wrote, "Protect Elon Musk at all costs."
Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty linked the threat to Musk's exposure of fraud, posting, "When fraud is exposed - it's always the fraudsters who yell and complain the loudest. Their THEFT will come to an end." Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee took a hardline stance on his personal X account, writing, "Deport her immediately," and adding, "She shouldn’t be here."
Context: The Minnesota Somali Fraud Probe
The TikToker's remarks were made in the context of Musk's criticisms of alleged widespread fraud within some Somali-run businesses in Minnesota. This refers to the massive "Feeding Our Future" $250 million fraud scheme that was uncovered recently.
The Trump administration launched a probe into this scheme, which allegedly exploited a children's nutrition program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and overseen by Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that more than 70 people have been charged for taking advantage of waived federal program requirements.
Following these fraud reports, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would freeze childcare payments to Minnesota. Musk's comments on this issue appear to have been the catalyst for the hostile response from the TikTok user, whose account has since been deleted, as reported by Fox News.
The event highlights the intense and often volatile intersection of social media, high-profile tech figures, and serious real-world allegations of financial crime.
