Elon Musk Says 'Communism' Caused Rift With Transgender Daughter
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Billionaire electric car magnate Elon Musk is blaming “communism” in elite colleges and universities for his estrangement from his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson.
“It’s full-on communism ... and a general sentiment that if you’re rich, you’re evil,” Musk told the Financial Times in an interview published Friday. “It [the relationship] may change, but I have very good relationships with all the others [children]. Can’t win them all.” Musk did not go into further detail.
Wilson is one of six children (five living) Musk had with his first wife, model Justine Wilson. Vivian Wilson, who turned 18 in April, filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court in June to adopt that name and be legally recognized as female. In the filing, she said, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form,” TMZ reported at the time. The name and gender change were granted.
Musk, CEO of Tesla, has claimed to support trans people, although he once tweeted, “All these pronouns are an esthetic nightmare.” He also has said he may support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis is known for many anti-LGBTQ+ actions, most famously signing the state’s “don’t say gay” law, which restricts classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Musk once voted largely Democratic, now leans Republican, and has said he doesn’t hate Donald Trump, who wants the 2024 GOP nod as well. Musk made large donations to Republican candidates in 2018. He has made news lately with his efforts to buy Twitter, and some observers fearing he would weaken the platform’s rules against hate speech.
Workers at Tesla have accused the company of racial and antigay harassment. This year a jury ruled that a worker who alleged racial discrimination was entitled to $137 million in damages, but a judge reduced that to $15 million, which the worker then rejected. A new trial in the case is scheduled for next year.
