The case of a teenage girl at risk of deportation from Denmark caught Musk's attention. His comment sparked a wave of backlash online

Audrey Morris, a 19-year-old young woman who risked deportation to the US from Denmark, made the first statements after billionaire Elon Musk drew criticism online following his comment about her situation, considered inappropriate, reports Newsweek.

The Space X CEO's comment drew attention on social media after he made a remark about the young woman's physical appearance while ignoring the legal aspects of the case. Musk faced a wave of criticism on his X platform, with users calling him “weird”.

Who is Audrey Morris?

Audrey Morris, originally from Los Angeles, moved to Denmark at the age of nine. Earlier this year, Danish authorities questioned his resident status after violating visa conditions. Although he eventually obtained a 10-year residence permit, he was denied Danish citizenship, The Daily Beast reported.

“The support and empathy I received throughout my case touched me deeply and I appreciate itMorris told Newsweek in a statement. “My desire is that moral integrity and academic achievement are never overshadowed by appearances, as my faith teaches me that our true worth comes not from the way we look, but from God, our character, our modesty, and the values ​​we live by.”

“It is important now more than ever for society to recognize deeper criteria for value. I would like the focus on immigration to remain a matter of substance and integrity, which I believe the Lord calls us to honor above all else.”

“I feel a great responsibility to use the voice I have been given to foster a faith-based community for my generation.”

What did Elon Musk say about Audrey Morris?

Musk posted a message in response to a since-deleted post on X suggesting that an exception should be made for people with “hotness level 8 or above”.

“I wasn't surprised, I guess I could say, because from the very beginning, the second my case went public, it was about looks and because, 'oh, she's blonde and she's white!'” So what he said in itself wasn't shocking to me, but coming from him… I was blown away.,” Morris told The Daily Beast.

Morris called the comment “insane” and said she was surprised that Musk's attention was focused on her physical appearance instead of her accomplishments, such as her academic work and volunteering.

“It would have been really cool if instead he had said something like, 'Wow, look how much he's accomplished academically' or something like that. That would have been great. It could have been very helpful.” she told The Daily Beast.

She also told the publication that while she expected some attention to her case, Musk's specific remark was shocking given the context.

“At least if it even comes to the attention of someone who cares, then I don't mind being put in a somewhat embarrassing situation. That's fine.”she also said.

Morris was denied citizenship, unlike her American mother and her 15-year-old brother, who both received it, according to The Daily Beast.

Before her residency issue was resolved, the possibility of deportation was so real that she made backup plans to return to the U.S., which would have meant leaving her family and boyfriend behind, the publication reported.

Both parents are American citizens, and the family moved to Aarhus, Denmark's second-largest city, in 2015 so her mother could pursue a Ph.D.

Authorities questioned his status after he moved to a school dormitory in another city, which violated visa conditions for a dependent family member.

“Even in a highly regulated system, there has to be room for real people and real lives, not just paperwork, because one technical detail literally changed my whole life”she told The Daily Beast.

Musk, who was born in South Africa and later became an American citizen, briefly took on an administration role in the early months of President Donald Trump's second term.

He served as a special government employee advising Trump's Department for Government Efficiency, an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending, before stepping down from that position after a few months and engaging in a social media spat with the US president.

Musk has criticized illegal immigration and advocated tougher enforcement measures. He also defended the H1-B visa program, which allows American companies to hire skilled foreign workers. His support for H1-B visas created tensions with some hardliners within the MAGA political coalition.

Musk has recently been embroiled in further controversy after his name was mentioned in files from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that were turned over to the House Oversight Committee and include Epstein's phone messages, flight logs, financial records and schedule.

The documents show that Musk had been invited to Epstein's island in December 2014, although he had previously said he declined the invitation.

The records show that Epstein's schedule included a note about a possible trip by Musk to his private island, with the message “Reminder: Elon Musk on the island on Dec. 6 (is it still happening?).”