'Hawk Tuah' girl Hailey Welch debuts on X, calls Elon Musk her 'hero'

Hailey Welch, the 21-year-old who recently gained widespread attention as the 'Hawk Tuah' girl, has found a new home on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), after initially shutting down her accounts.
Welch, whose story captivated the internet, has since amassed a large following on Instagram and is now thriving on X, where her follower count has surged past 134,000.Among her new followers is Elon Musk himself, who has not only followed Welch but also engaged with her content, affirming the platform's commitment to free speech.
In one notable interaction, Musk responded to Welch’s post by saying, “This is the free speech platform, so feel free to say whatever you want! Unless it's illegal, it won't be taken down.” This endorsement from the tech mogul has further boosted Welch’s presence on the platform.


Welch has expressed her admiration for Musk, even referring to him as her “hero” after he reportedly messaged her privately. Her rise to fame on X has been meteoric, with her sharing personal experiences and thoughts that resonate with her expanding audience.

"I never imagined I would get this kind of support and recognition," Welch said in a recent post. "It's been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for the platform X has given me to share my voice."
Her posts range from reflections on her sudden internet fame to her thoughts on current events and personal anecdotes. Welch’s candid and engaging style has made her a beloved figure among her followers.