Vivian Wilson, the 20-year-old transgender daughter of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has announced her intention to leave the United States in response to Donald Trump’s recent re-election. Vivian, who legally changed her name and gender in April 2022, expressed her concern about the country’s political future under Trump’s leadership. She took to the social media platform Threads, explaining that her decision was influenced by what she perceives as a growing hostility toward transgender rights and the divisive nature of the political environment.
Vivian, formerly known as Xavier Musk, stated that while she had been considering the move for some time, Trump’s victory solidified her resolve. “I don’t see my future in the United States,” she wrote. “I’ve thought this for a while, but yesterday confirmed it for me. Even if he’s only in office for four years, even if anti-trans regulations don’t materialise, the people who voted for this aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
Vivian, who has openly distanced herself from her father, adopted her mother’s maiden name, Wilson, as part of her legal name change. She has made it clear that she no longer wishes to be associated with Musk, who has been vocal about his disagreements with her lifestyle and her views on wealth and social issues. Musk, known for his outspoken stance on various issues, has referred to his daughter as a “communist” and expressed regret over allowing her to begin transitioning, claiming he was misled into consenting to the use of puberty blockers.
In a previous interview, Musk expressed frustration with what he called “the woke mind virus,” which he believes has affected his daughter’s worldview. He stated, “I didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time; it was during COVID, and I was told Xavier might commit suicide.” Musk has been critical of puberty blockers, describing them as “sterilisation drugs,” and has even argued that individuals promoting transgender healthcare for minors should face criminal consequences.
Vivian, in response to Musk’s comments, has been open about her childhood experiences and the challenges she faced with her father’s absence and critical views on her identity. She shared that Musk had minimal involvement in her upbringing and would often disparage her for displaying feminine and queer characteristics. She stated, “He doesn’t know what I was like as a child because he simply wasn’t there. I was relentlessly harassed for my femininity and queerness. I’ve been reduced to a stereotype. I think that says a lot about how he views queer people and children in general.”
Vivian’s announcement adds another layer to the ongoing public discussion around transgender rights and acceptance, particularly under conservative administrations. Her story reflects the challenges faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community, who fear potential setbacks in protections and rights in the current political climate.
