Elon Musk has said “it is war” after a TikTok user said to be from Somalia claimed “he about to die” during a livestream. An unknown TikTok user played a video on her phone showing the Tesla CEO, then after speaking in a non-English language, said in English: “I wouldn’t worry too much about him. He about to die.” Musk responded on X, writing: “Then it is war.” The incident comes amid escalating tensions within the Somali American community following allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota involving Somali defendants. Social media users said the person is Somali, though Newsweek could not verify her nationality or link her to the Minnesota fraud cases.
Why It Matters
There has been increased scrutiny on Somali Americans after Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice uncovered welfare fraud in Minnesota in 2022 with the Feeding Our Future scam, estimated to have cost taxpayers $250 million. Since then, further instances of alleged fraud have emerged. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson stated that $9 billion or more in federal funds allocated to 14 state-run programs since 2018 may have been stolen. 82 of the 92 defendants charged are Somali Americans, creating political tensions as some warn of stigmatization.
What To Know
The TikTok livestream attracted outrage on social media. Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote: “Deport her immediately. She shouldn’t be here.” DogeDesigner, an account with over 1.7 million followers, said: “Protect Elon Musk at all costs.” Libs of TikTok, with roughly 4.5 million followers, wrote: “The Somali TikToker who mocked Americans had a meltdown over Elon Musk and appeared to threaten his life.” Some suggested the FBI investigate. Little information is publicly available about the TikTok user’s identity. Musk and the FBI were contacted by Newsweek for comment outside normal business hours.
What People Are Saying
Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, the state’s most prominent Somali American official, told CBS News: “This also has an impact on Somalis, because we are also taxpayers in Minnesota…We also could have benefited from the program and the money that was stolen.” Governor Tim Walz’s office previously stated that the governor has strengthened oversight, launched investigations into high-risk facilities, shut down certain programs, hired an outside firm to audit payments, and supported criminal prosecutions.
What Happens Next
Investigations into alleged fraud continue. FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency deployed personnel and resources to Minnesota “to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.” Attorney General Pam Bondi noted that “more prosecutions [are] coming.” The news cycle is loud, and algorithms push extremes. Newsweek emphasizes factual reporting, reflecting America’s diversity and providing context where facts and ideas meet.
