Vivian Wilson, Elon Musk’s transgender daughter, has announced her intention to leave the United States following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Vivian, who was born Xavier Musk in 2004, legally changed her name and gender in 2022 and adopted her mother’s maiden name, Wilson, in a bid to distance herself from her father.
In a post on the social media platform Threads, Vivian shared her concerns about the political climate under Trump’s return to office, revealing that it had confirmed her decision to leave the country.
“I don’t see my future in the United States… even if he’s only in office for four years, the people who voted for him aren’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Vivian wrote.
She also expressed her discomfort with what she perceives as the political and cultural shift in the U.S. under a second Trump presidency, particularly regarding the rights and treatment of transgender individuals.
The decision to leave follows years of public estrangement between Vivian and her father.
In April 2022, Vivian filed for a legal name and gender change, requesting to sever ties with Elon Musk. She was quoted in court documents saying, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.”
This legal step marked a significant break between the two, as Musk has often publicly criticized her choices and political views.
Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump and fathered 12 children across three relationships, has often expressed disappointment over his daughter’s transition and ideological differences.
In interviews, he has described Vivian’s decision as part of what he perceives as a broader cultural shift, which he refers to as “the woke mind virus.”
Musk, who has been outspoken about his belief in traditional gender roles, has criticized the use of puberty blockers and described gender dysphoria as “incredibly evil,” even suggesting that those who promote such treatments should face legal consequences.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for Xavier. I didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time; it was during COVID, and I was told Xavier might commit suicide,” Musk said in a 2022 interview, explaining his actions around the time of Vivian’s transition.
Vivian, on the other hand, has countered Musk’s statements, describing his involvement in her childhood as minimal and noting that she was often criticized for her femininity and queerness.
She has spoken about her experiences with harassment growing up, stating that she was “relentlessly harassed” for being different and that her father’s views on gender and sexuality were reflective of a broader societal tendency to marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals.
In her post on Threads, Vivian emphasized that her decision to leave the United States was not merely a reaction to Trump’s victory, but also a response to what she sees as a growing cultural divide.
“Even if anti-trans regulations don’t materialize, the environment for people like me is toxic,” she wrote. “I don’t feel safe here, and I need to find a place where I can thrive without constantly having to fight for my rights.”
As Trump prepares for his return to the White House, the rift between him and his daughter remains one of the most high-profile examples of how personal and political ideologies can clash.
Despite the ongoing public feud, Elon Musk has continued to express his support for the policies and rhetoric of Trump, while Vivian has sought to distance herself from both her father and the political environment he champions.
