Vivian Jenna Wilson, 20, the daughter of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has sparked considerable attention and controversy with her candid remarks regarding her father and his political actions. In a recent interview with Teen Vogue, her second media engagement since publicly distancing herself from Musk, Wilson labeled her father a "pathetic man-child" and critiqued his involvement with the U.S. government under President Donald Trump as "cartoonishly evil." This interaction occurred amidst a swirl of media scrutiny following Musk's questionable public appearances and the shifting political landscape in the United States.
Wilson's comments come on the heels of a multitude of headlines spawned from Musk's behavior at Trump rallies, including an alleged Nazi salute directed towards supporters. She was unambiguous while addressing the incident: "The Nazi salute sht was insane. We’re going to call a fig a fig, and we’re going to call a Nazi salute what it was — that sht was definitely a Nazi salute." Such claims throw Musk’s recent political stance into the spotlight, prompting societal ridicule amid ongoing discussions about the implications of such a display from a high-profile figure.
Having grown up under the giant shadow of her wealthy father, Wilson opened up about her experiences navigating life as a trans woman and the challenges posed by Musk's behavior and prior remarks. In a previous interview, Musk infamously dead-named Wilson, haunting her with his open reluctance to embrace her identity. "I was constantly having mental breakdowns in the middle of class — I could not get through days — I didn’t want to wake up, I didn’t want to do anything," she recounted of her struggles leading up to her gender transition. She emphasized that her mother, Justine Wilson, fully supported her decisions, unlike her father who was less than accommodating.
Wilson has become increasingly vocal about the political climate affecting trans rights, particularly under the Trump administration, which has seen executive orders restricting rights for transgender individuals. “It’s horrifying what they’re doing, not only to the trans community, but also to migrants, to communities of color, to so many marginalized communities that are being systematically targeted by the new administration and having protections revoked — it’s cartoonishly evil,” she asserted, reflecting the rising fears amongst many regarding the rights of marginalized groups.
The growing number of children coming out as transgender has led to increasing scrutiny and a hostile political environment surrounding trans care for minors. Wilson articulated her desire to raise awareness about the necessity of trans health care, especially puberty blockers, stressing, "There’s so much villainization of that, and I would really like to raise awareness of the fact that trans care for minors, especially puberty blockers, is really important. Maybe stop demonizing these literal children or the people around these children who are just trying to help them feel comfortable in their own skin.”
The interview has drawn significant attention on social media platforms, where Wilson is known for her sharp wit and commitment to addressing issues of gender identity and politics. She admits that engaging with her followers and supporters has allowed her to hone her eloquence and confidence, which she frequently displays in her public life.
Another point of contention came from Musk's remarks during an interview with Jordan Peterson, where he claimed Wilson was “killed” by the “woke mind virus.” Wilson found this claim deeply troubling and took to Instagram to respond, using humor and sass. In a video she posted, Wilson lip-synced the infamous phrase, "I look pretty good for a dead bitch," in reference to a performance by drag queen Morgan McMichaels from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Alluding to her father’s wealth and influence, Wilson stated, "I don’t give a f**k how much money anyone has. I don’t. I really don’t... People thrive off of fear. I’m not giving anyone that space in my mind." Her comments push back against the notion that wealth or power should dictate the narrative of an individual’s life.
Despite the challenges of her relationship with her father, Wilson emphasizes her financial independence, maintaining that she has been self-sufficient since coming out as trans in 2020. Her journey has been fraught with difficulty, yet she articulates the importance of owning her identity and taking control of her narrative, saying, "I think that says a lot about how he views queer people and children in general."
In closing, Wilson's vocalization against her father's beliefs and political stances provides a striking narrative not only on familial ties and public identity but also places personal experiences within the broader discourse surrounding transgender rights. Her capacity to pivot from personal struggle to public activism highlights the significance of voices like hers in the ongoing fight for acceptance and understanding in a rapidly evolving political society.
