Inside Elon Musk's Feud With Newsom Over Trans Child
Elon Musk and California Governor Gavin Newsom have ignited a fierce public feud that goes far beyond politics. The spark? Newsom's press office reportedly highlighted that Musk's estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, "hates" him. Musk's response was swift and personal, deadnaming Vivian and accusing Newsom of pushing a "woke mind virus" that he claims harms vulnerable children. This clash exposes a volatile mix of family drama, political rivalry, and the culture wars swirling around transgender rights.
A Viral Exchange That Set Off Sparks
The confrontation began when America PAC, a political action committee founded by Musk to support conservative causes, reportedly shared a clip of Newsom boasting about signing more pro-trans legislation than any other governor. Newsom's office then fired back on social media, writing, "Correct. We're sorry your daughter hates you, Elon," as reported by Newsweek, a remark that quickly went viral and drew sharp reactions from Musk.
Musk did not hold back. On X, he shot back, "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," as reported by the New York Post. He added, "I love Xavier very much and hope he recovers," before listing his other daughters, Azure, Exa (who goes by Y), and Arcadia, affirming that they "do indeed love me very much."
The Personal and Political Collide
This exchange is not just a political spat but a deeply personal one. Vivian Jenna Wilson, formerly known as Xavier Musk, publicly severed ties with her father, legally changing her name and gender in 2022. She filed to drop any association with Musk, stating she "no longer lives with" or "wishes to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form," as reported by Newsweek.
Vivian has been vocal about her strained relationship with Musk, accusing him of being absent during her childhood and cruel when she showed feminine traits. She has called him "cartoonishly evil" and a "pathetic man-child" on social media, as reported by the New York Post, while Musk has repeatedly deadnamed her and framed her transition as a tragic consequence of what he calls the "woke mind virus."
Newsom's Pro-Trans Stance and Social Media Strategy
Governor Newsom has positioned himself as a staunch advocate for transgender rights. In an interview with The New York Times, he emphasized his commitment to trans youth, saying, "There's no governor that's signed more pro-trans legislation than I have," as reported by Newsweek. His office's sharp retort to Musk's America PAC was part of a broader aggressive social media strategy that mimics former President Donald Trump's confrontational style, using memes, satire, and all-caps posts to engage supporters and critics alike.
Newsom's press office doubled down on their comment, signaling they would continue this rapid-fire, meme-driven approach to political communication. This tactic has intensified the cultural polarization around gender issues, turning personal family matters into public political battles.
Musk's Emotional Rebuttal and Political Framing
Musk's response blends personal grievance with political rhetoric. He has described his experience with Vivian's transition as a loss, saying in a 2024 interview that he "lost my son, essentially," and that "the reason it's called deadnaming is because your son is dead," as reported by Newsweek. He claims he was "tricked" into allowing the transition at age 16 and has vowed to "destroy the woke mind virus" that he believes is responsible for harming children.
This framing turns a family dispute into a broader cultural war, with Musk casting himself as a defender against what he sees as harmful ideologies. His comments about his son Xavier's "tragic mental illness" reflect his view that transgender identity is a condition caused by external influences, a stance that clashes sharply with mainstream medical and LGBTQ advocacy perspectives.
Vivian's Public Response and Media Presence
Vivian has not remained silent. She has taken to social media platforms like Threads and TikTok to respond to her father's attacks. In one viral TikTok video, she lip-synced a clip from "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," saying, "I look pretty good for a dead b---h," as reported by The Daily Beast, a pointed retort to Musk's claim that she is "dead" to him.
She also criticized "cowardly men" in a Threads post, writing that her "bandwidth for cowardly men grows thinner with each passing day," a veiled jab at both Musk and Newsom's office, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Vivian has launched a career as a media personality and model, appearing on the cover of Teen Vogue and publicly discussing her experiences. Despite her high-profile background, she has claimed financial struggles after cutting ties with Musk, the world's richest man.
The Broader Cultural Divide
This public feud between Musk and Newsom highlights the deep divisions in American society over transgender rights and identity politics. Newsom's pro-trans legislative record contrasts with Musk's vocal opposition to what he calls "woke" culture. Their personal conflict has become a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars, with each side using the dispute to rally supporters and frame the debate in starkly different terms.
The clash also underscores how private family matters can become entangled with public political battles, especially when high-profile figures are involved. Musk's personal grievances about his daughter's transition are inseparable from his political messaging, while Newsom's office uses the controversy to reinforce its commitment to transgender rights.
What's Next?
As the feud continues to unfold on social media and in public statements, it remains a potent symbol of the polarized landscape around gender issues. Newsom's aggressive social media tactics suggest the governor's office will keep pushing back against Musk's rhetoric, while Musk's framing of the issue as a fight against a "woke mind virus" signals he will continue to use personal stories to fuel his political agenda.
For Vivian Jenna Wilson, the public spotlight is both a platform and a battleground, as she navigates her identity and relationship with her father amid the glare of national attention.
This clash between Musk and Newsom is far from over, and it offers a revealing glimpse into how personal, political, and cultural conflicts collide in today's America.
References: Elon Musk Loses It at Gavin Newsom for Saying His Trans Daughter Vivian Wilson Hates Him | Elon Musk responds to Gavin Newsom after comment about transgender daughter | Elon Musk and Gavin Newsom Clash Over Transgender Child
