Elon Musk’s estranged daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, has publicly criticized her father following his controversial comments about singer Taylor Swift. Musk’s remarks, widely perceived as inappropriate, prompted a strong response from Wilson, highlighting the deepening rift between the two.
In September 2024, after Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president, Musk made a disturbing post suggesting he would impregnate Swift and “guard” her cats. This comment was met with widespread backlash, with many labeling it as misogynistic and offensive. Wilson, who has been estranged from Musk since 2020, took to Threads, a social media platform, to express her disgust. She described Musk’s statement as “heinous incel nonsense,” emphasizing its sexist and belittling nature. Wilson further criticized the ideology behind Musk’s attempt at a joke, stating, “It’s disgusting, it’s belittling and incredibly sexist.”
This incident is not the first time Wilson has publicly addressed her father’s behavior. In a candid interview with Teen Vogue, she referred to Musk as a “pathetic man-child” and expressed her desire to distance herself from him. Wilson, who came out as transgender in 2020 and legally changed her name in 2022 to reflect her gender identity and to disassociate from Musk, has been vocal about her strained relationship with her father. She criticized Musk’s lack of support during her transition and dismissed claims that her gender identity influenced his conservative political shift. Wilson emphasized the importance of supporting the trans community, especially amidst increasing political hostility
The tension between Musk and Wilson has been escalating over the years. Wilson has openly criticized Musk’s political involvement, particularly his association with figures like Donald Trump. She condemned Musk’s alleged Nazi salute gesture at a rally, describing it as “insane” and expressing frustration over being associated with him. Despite the public nature of their estrangement, Wilson maintains that Musk is not a daily concern for her and emphasizes her independence.
Wilson’s criticisms extend beyond personal grievances, reflecting broader concerns about wealth disparity and political dynamics. She has been vocal about her disdain for wealth inequality and has criticized the U.S. political climate, especially under the Trump administration. Wilson’s activism is deeply intertwined with her personal experiences, and she uses her platform to advocate for trans issues and gender-affirming care for young people.
Musk, on the other hand, has made unsubstantiated claims linking the trans community to attacks on Tesla vehicles, further straining his relationship with Wilson. He suggested on social media that transgender individuals were behind recent violent incidents against Tesla, though he offered no evidence to support these allegations. Research indicates that trans people are often victims, not perpetrators, of violence. Wilson publicly criticized Musk for these comments, reflecting the deepening divide between them.
The public nature of their estrangement highlights the complexities of familial relationships, especially when intertwined with issues of identity, politics, and public scrutiny. Wilson’s willingness to speak out against her father’s actions underscores her commitment to her principles and her advocacy for marginalized communities. As she continues to build her own path, Wilson remains a vocal critic of her father’s behavior, using her platform to shed light on issues affecting the trans community and beyond.
