Vivian Jenna Wilson isn’t here to sugarcoat her billionaire father’s behavior — or to forgive it. In an unapologetic, scathing interview, the 20-year-old transgender daughter of Elon Musk called out the tech mogul turned Trump ally for “definitely” throwing a Nazi salute at rallies and slammed his role in what she called a “cartoonishly evil” administration. And no, she’s not backing down.
“The Nazi salute shit was insane,” Wilson declared. “Honey, we’re going to call a fig a fig, and we’re going to call a Nazi salute what it was. That shit was definitely a Nazi salute.” Her words don’t just sting — they come with historical weight, especially as the far-right continues its assault on LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump 2.0 regime.
Wilson, who legally changed her name and disowned her father in 2022, said Musk has been using his wealth and power to contribute to a wave of policies targeting trans people. “The things my father has been doing in the federal government are fucking cringe,” she told Teen Vogue. The spotlight on Musk grew hotter after viral footage appeared to show him performing a fascist-style salute at two January rallies.
Deadnaming, Control, and Trauma
This isn’t the first time Wilson has broken the silence about her high-profile parent. She’s previously accused Musk of being emotionally abusive and absent — claims that gain new weight in the context of his political posturing and alleged disdain for trans identities. Musk once told a podcast audience he was “tricked” into signing off on gender-affirming care for Wilson when she was a minor. “I lost my son,” he said. “They call it deadnaming for a reason.”
Wilson, now studying in Tokyo, recounted her mental health struggles before transitioning, describing panic attacks and “wanting to rot.” Her decision to medically transition saved her life, she said — and she feels a responsibility to speak out for others like her. “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,” she said. “Maybe stop demonizing these literal children.”
Drag Queens > Billionaires
Wilson said she feels no emotional tie to Musk or his ever-growing brood of offspring. “I do not actually know how many siblings I have, if you include half-siblings,” she quipped. Asked whether her father still occupies mental real estate in her life, she responded, “People thrive off of fear. I’m not giving anyone that space in my mind. The only thing that gets to live free in my mind are drag queens.”
This isn’t just personal drama — it’s political. Musk is now an influential figure in a Trump administration that’s pushed to ban trans people from the military and women’s sports. While a federal judge recently blocked the military ban, the broader assault continues. And when the daughter of one of America’s richest men chooses drag queens over her dad, it sends a message: trans youth won’t be silenced — even when their enemies are in their own family tree.
Wilson’s stand is more than a family feud; it’s a rare and brave move from someone raised under the shadow of extreme power and patriarchy. For the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans youth, she’s more than Elon’s daughter — she’s proof that even from the coldest households, a fierce, proud voice can rise.