Elon Musk says daughter's transition sparked his politics

Elon Musk has publicly suggested that his daughter's gender transition was a catalyst for his entry into politics, a claim that has reignited discussion about his family relationships and their influence on his public stance. The billionaire entrepreneur responded to a post on X, the social media platform he owns, which argued that without his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, he would not have become politically involved, purchased Twitter, or influenced the 2024 presidential election. Musk replied with a single word: "True."

The exchange has drawn attention to the long-reported estrangement between Musk and Wilson, his eldest child from his first marriage to author Justine Musk. Wilson, 22, publicly came out as transgender in 2020 and later changed her name, legally severing ties with her father in 2022. She has described her upbringing as emotionally difficult and isolating, and has stated she no longer engages with his public life. The recent online discussion coincided with Wilson's appearance in a new Pride-themed campaign for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty lingerie line.

Musk's political evolution in recent years has seen him move toward more conservative positions in the United...