Elon Musk Rejects Daughter's Gender Identity in Public Dispute with California Governor

Elon Musk's daughter Vivian publicly identified as transgender in 2022

Elon Musk has described his transgender daughter's transition as a "tragic mental illness," demonstrating his opposition to gender reassignments in a response to criticism from a Democratic politician.

This comment came after California Governor Gavin Newsom told a podcast host about his support for trans children, positioning himself as an advocate for pro-trans legislation and LGBTQ rights.

Newsom's office shared a clip from this interview with the comment, "We're sorry your daughter hates you, Elon."

"I assume you're referring to my son, Xavier, who has a tragic mental illness caused by the evil woke mind virus you push on vulnerable children. I love Xavier very much and hope he recovers," Musk replied.

"My daughters are Azure, Exa (she goes by Y) and Arcadia, and they do indeed love me..."

Musk was referring to Vivian Wilson, one of his 14 children. Previously known as Xavier Musk, she came out as transgender in 2022, changed her name to Vivian, and has not communicated with her father since.

Disregarding her transition, Musk maintained he has only three daughters, stating, "My daughters are Azure, Exa (she goes by Y) and Arcadia, and they do indeed love me very much."

The billionaire has repeatedly attributed what he terms the "woke mind virus" as the cause of his daughter's transition—a typical conservative perspective that opposes progressive views on gender identity issues.

In 2024, Musk alleged he was "tricked" into signing documents permitting Vivian's medical gender reassignment. He claimed he was informed that 'Xavier' might commit suicide if he didn't approve the gender change, but ultimately he "lost" his child.

"They call it 'deadnaming' for a reason. The reason they call it 'deadnaming' is because your son is dead. My son Xavier is dead - killed by the woke-mind virus," he had stated.

Vivian claimed last year that Musk was a "cruel" father who was unable to accept her being queer and feminine.