A 19-year-old American woman living in Denmark has publicly responded after billionaire Elon Musk made a controversial comment about her appearance in relation to her deportation case.
The Controversial Comment from a Billionaire
Audrey Morris, originally from Los Angeles, has been living in Denmark with her family since she was nine years old. She recently faced the risk of deportation due to administrative issues with her visa. The situation gained unexpected attention when Elon Musk, the owner of X, formerly Twitter, saw a post about her case and decided to weigh in.
In a since-deleted comment, Musk wrote, "8 or above level hotness should get an exemption," adding a laughing-crying emoji. The remark was quickly branded as "creepy" by other users on the platform.
"I Was Floored": The Teen's Reaction
In an interview with the Daily Beast, Morris called the entire situation "definitely crazy." She expressed that while the nature of the comment wasn't entirely surprising given the public focus on her appearance, its source left her stunned.
"The thing he said in of itself wasn't shocking to me, but coming from him… I was floored," Morris stated. She voiced disappointment that the tech mogul didn't highlight her academic achievements or the fact she has lived in Denmark for half her life—factors she believes "could have been so helpful" for her case.
Morris showed a pragmatic perspective, adding, "(But) if this just at least brings it to the attention of anyone who cares, then I'm fine with being embarrassed a little bit. That's OK."
Online Backlash and Visa Troubles
The internet's reaction to Musk's comment was swift and critical. One user pointed out the age gap, noting, "You were 36 when she was born." Others called him a "creepy loser" and told him to "calm down old man."
Morris's immigration troubles began when her status as an "accompanying child" on her mother's visa lapsed. The issue escalated when she moved into her high school dormitories in a different city, which violated the condition that she live at the same residence as her mother. While her mother and younger brother have since obtained Danish citizenship, Morris's application was denied.
Although she has been granted a 10-year residency permit, the threat of being forced to return to the United States remains. "I have my grandparents and some friends in the USA. But Denmark is my home," Morris told local media earlier this year. "I am as Danish as a foreigner can possibly be."
Elon Musk has not made any further public statements about his comment or Morris's case since the original post was deleted.
