If you’ve spent any time on X (formerly Twitter) or scrolling through the latest tech feuds, you’ve likely seen the name Elon Musk pop up in conversations that have nothing to do with rockets or electric cars. Instead, they’re about his family. People keep asking: does elon musk have a transgender kid?
The short answer is yes. But the long answer is a lot more complicated than a simple family tree. It involves a massive falling out, a legal battle for a name change, and some of the most public, heated rhetoric we’ve seen between a parent and a child in the celebrity world.
Who is Vivian Jenna Wilson?
Vivian Jenna Wilson is the person everyone is talking about. Born in 2004, she is one of the twins Musk had with his first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson. For the first 18 years of her life, the public knew her by a different name. But in April 2022, right after she hit the legal age of adulthood in California, she filed a petition that sent shockwaves through the media.
She wasn't just asking to change her gender on her birth certificate. She wanted a whole new name. Specifically, she dropped "Musk" entirely and took her mother’s maiden name, Wilson.
In her court filing, she didn't mince words. She stated clearly that she "no longer live[s] with or wish[es] to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form." That’s a heavy statement. It’s not just a teenage phase; it’s a legal severing of ties.
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Why the Relationship Soured
So, what happened? Honestly, if you listen to both sides, you get two completely different stories. It's like a real-life Rashomon effect.
Elon has been very vocal about his take. In a 2024 interview with Jordan Peterson, he went as far as to say his daughter was "killed by the woke mind virus." He claimed he was "tricked" into signing documents for her gender-affirming care during the pandemic, saying he was told she might commit suicide if he didn't. He’s used her transition as a catalyst for his political shift to the right, often citing it as the reason he wants to "destroy" what he calls "woke" ideology.
Vivian remembers things differently.
In a rare interview with Teen Vogue and on her own social media (mostly Threads and TikTok, since she stays off her dad's platform), she’s described Musk as an absent father. She said that even when he was around, he was "cruel" and "uncaring." She recounted stories of him allegedly berating her as a child for being "too feminine" or "queer." To her, his current crusade against "wokeness" isn't about saving the world—it's a personal vendetta because he couldn't control her.
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The 2026 Landscape: Where Things Stand Now
Fast forward to January 2026, and the drama hasn't cooled down. If anything, it's expanded. Musk now has around 14 children (it’s getting hard to keep track, honestly) with several different women, including Grimes, Shivon Zilis, and most recently, a son with influencer Ashley St. Clair.
The question of does elon musk have a transgender kid often resurfaces because of his ongoing legal battles. Just this month, in early 2026, Musk made headlines for threatening to sue for full custody of his son with St. Clair. The reason? St. Clair publicly apologized for past transphobic remarks and expressed guilt over how her previous rhetoric might have hurt Vivian.
Musk’s response was swift and public, claiming St. Clair’s shift in tone implied she might "transition" their one-year-old son—a claim St. Clair vehemently denies. It shows that for Musk, the issue of transgender identity is no longer just about one daughter; it's a central pillar of how he views his role as a father and a public figure.
Key Facts About Vivian Jenna Wilson
- Born: April 15, 2004.
- Mother: Justine Wilson (Musk’s first wife).
- Legal Change: In 2022, she legally changed her name and gender.
- Status: She is completely estranged from Elon and is financially independent.
- Career: She’s recently dipped her toes into modeling and has been signed by CAA.
The "Woke Mind Virus" Controversy
Musk’s obsession with the "woke mind virus" is inextricably linked to Vivian. Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk suggests that the loss of his relationship with Vivian was the "final straw" that pushed him toward his current political path.
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But Vivian has called this narrative "pathetic." She argues that she isn't a victim of some ideology, but a person who made a choice to be herself. She’s even joked about her father’s comments. After he said she was "dead," she posted a video with the caption, "I look pretty good for a dead b***h."
It’s dark humor, for sure. But it shows the level of vitriol currently existing in that family dynamic.
What This Means for the Public
When people ask does elon musk have a transgender kid, they’re usually looking for more than just a "yes." They’re looking at how the world’s richest man handles the most personal of conflicts.
Musk is a guy who wants to colonize Mars and solve traffic with tunnels, but he can't seem to bridge the gap with his own eldest daughter. It’s a reminder that money and intelligence don't always translate to emotional intelligence or family harmony.
Actionable Takeaways for Readers
If you're following this story because you're interested in the intersection of celebrity culture and trans rights, or just because the Musk family is a never-ending soap opera, here’s how to stay informed without falling for the "rage-bait" on both sides:
- Check the Source: Musk often posts about these issues on X. Vivian posts on Threads and TikTok. To get the full picture, you have to look at both, because they rarely agree on the "facts" of their shared history.
- Look at Court Records: Much of what we know about their estrangement comes from the 2022 court filings in Santa Monica. These are public records and provide the most "neutral" account of her desire to cut ties.
- Follow the Legislation: Musk’s move to Texas was partly fueled by California's laws regarding transgender youth in schools. This family feud is actually influencing where multibillion-dollar companies are headquartered.
- Support Privacy: Despite the public nature of their fight, Vivian has expressed at various times that she didn't want to be a public figure. She was "outed" by the media when her name change petition was discovered. It’s a good reminder to respect the boundaries of children of celebrities, even when they’re adults.
The saga of Elon and Vivian isn't over. As long as Musk is in the public eye—which, let's be real, is forever—the question of his relationship with his transgender daughter will remain a focal point of his personal legacy.