A 19-year-old American woman facing deportation from Denmark has described the situation as "crazy" after billionaire Elon Musk controversially suggested she should get an exemption due to her appearance.
Musk's Viral 'Hotness' Comment
Audrey Morris, originally from Los Angeles but raised in Denmark since age nine, found herself at the centre of an international debate this week. The world's richest man, Elon Musk, commented on a since-deleted post about her visa struggles on his platform, X, writing: "8 or above level hotness should get an exemption," accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji.
The remark, swiftly labelled "creepy" and "pervy" by online critics, went viral. Morris, who turned 19 in August, told The Daily Beast she was "floored" that Musk chose to focus on her looks rather than the merits of her case. "The thing he said in of itself wasn't shocking to me, but coming from him... I was floored," she said.
Background of the Deportation Case
Morris moved with her family to Aarhus, Denmark, a decade ago while her mother pursued a PhD. She remained on her mother's visa as an accompanying child until administrative issues arose in 2024. The problems began when she moved into her high school dormitories in a different city. After formally changing her address, she discovered it violated her visa conditions, which required her to reside with her mother.
While her mother and 15-year-old brother have since been granted Danish citizenship, Morris's own application was denied, putting her future in the only home she can remember in jeopardy. She has since been granted a 10-year residency permit, but the fear of deportation lingers. "I have my grandparents and some friends in the USA. But Denmark is my home," she told local media Stifstidende in January. "I am as Danish as a foreigner can possibly be."
Online Backlash and Morris's Disappointment
The reaction to Musk's comment was swift and severe. Critics online slammed the 54-year-old tech mogul, with one writing, "Calm down old man," and another adding, "You are such a creepy loser. Billions of dollars and still creepy." A third pointed out the age gap: "You were 36 when she was born."
For Morris, the episode was a missed opportunity. She expressed disappointment that Musk did not highlight her academic achievements or the fact she was raised in Denmark from childhood, which "could have been so helpful" for her case. However, she adopted a pragmatic view: "[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 okay."
The incident underscores the intense scrutiny public figures face on social media and the complex, often heartbreaking realities of immigration cases that play out behind viral headlines.
