Elon Musk has stirred controversy after suggesting that transgender individuals may be responsible for a series of attacks on Tesla vehicles and other company properties, coinciding with the release of a scathing interview with his estranged transgender daughter. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX made the comments amid growing nationwide boycotts, vandalism, and violence directed at Tesla owners, dealerships, and charging stations in the wake of his appointment to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk’s latest remarks came on Thursday, March 20, when he took to his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to make an unsubstantiated claim that transgender people could be behind recent acts of violence targeting the electric car company. Musk’s statements were widely criticized, especially as there was no evidence linking the trans community to the attacks.
His comments followed a series of incidents involving vandalism and destruction of Tesla vehicles and properties, which Musk has previously labeled as “evil.” He characterized the level of violence against the company’s supporters as “insane” and “deeply wrong.” However, despite the lack of any concrete evidence, Musk took to social media to draw an unproven connection between violence and transgender individuals, suggesting that hormone therapy could make trans people more violent. He did not provide any data or scientific studies to back up his claim, which has been widely debunked.
Experts have consistently pointed to the fact that transgender individuals are disproportionately the victims of violence. A report released in February 2025 by the UCLA School of Law indicated that LGBTQ individuals are far more likely than their non-LGBTQ counterparts to experience violent attacks. The report emphasized that the violence faced by LGBTQ individuals is often more severe, with higher rates of injury and long-term trauma resulting from these attacks.
Musk’s social media post came at a time when Tesla has been grappling with increasing political and social tension surrounding its CEO’s involvement in government policy. Musk’s recent leadership role in the Department of Government Efficiency has led to significant cuts in federal spending, which has resulted in thousands of government job losses. The political shift has sparked backlash from various activist groups, including those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, who argue that Musk’s conservative views contribute to an increasingly hostile environment for marginalized communities.
While Musk’s accusations are unsupported by evidence, his comments drew immediate backlash from both the transgender community and allies. The National LGBTQ Task Force condemned Musk’s remarks as harmful and baseless, asserting that they perpetuate dangerous stereotypes about transgender people.
The timing of Musk’s accusations also coincided with a highly publicized interview with his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, which was published by Teen Vogue on the same day. In the interview, Vivian, who is 20 years old, spoke candidly about her strained relationship with her father, describing him as “a pathetic man-child.” She expressed disdain for being associated with Musk, stating that she no longer cared about him or his actions. “I don’t give a f— about him. I really don’t,” Vivian told Teen Vogue. “It’s annoying that people associate me with him. I just don’t have any room to care anymore.”
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Vivian, who is one of at least 14 children Musk has fathered over the years, also discussed her experience coming out as transgender. She said that her father, Elon Musk, was “not as supportive” as her mother, Justine Wilson, when she first revealed her gender identity. Vivian also rejected the narrative that her father’s increasingly conservative stance was in response to her transitioning. “Him going further on the right, and I’m going to use the word ‘further’ — make sure you put ‘further’ in there — is not because of me. That’s insane,” she emphasized in the interview.
Vivian has had little contact with Musk since 2020, and she revealed that she does not think about him often. She has frequently criticized her father on social media, expressing frustration over his public persona and his political views. “Why should I be scared of this man? Because he’s rich? Oh, no, I’m trembling. Ooh, shivering in my boots here,” she remarked, dismissing the idea that Musk’s wealth and power should intimidate her.
In addition to speaking out about her strained relationship with her father, Vivian also discussed the importance of standing up for the transgender community, especially in light of the growing political hostility faced by transgender people under recent administrations. She expressed concern about the increasing attacks on transgender minors, particularly in the wake of restrictive policies introduced by former President Donald Trump’s administration.
“We’ve seen such vicious attacks on trans minors, and it’s really important that we protect our trans youth and do all that we can, especially in this increasingly hostile political landscape,” Vivian said. She reiterated the need for greater protections for transgender youth, who are often subjected to discriminatory laws and violent rhetoric.
Vivian’s interview sparked widespread support from the LGBTQ+ community, who praised her courage in speaking out against her father’s controversial views. Many supporters also condemned Musk’s remarks, calling them harmful and irresponsible.
As the fallout from Musk’s comments continues to unfold, many are questioning his responsibility as a public figure with significant influence over both the tech and political spheres. His actions and statements have sparked fierce debates over the intersection of corporate leadership, politics, and social issues, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights.
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The growing tension between Musk and the transgender community reflects broader cultural and political divides that are intensifying in the United States. As more high-profile figures and activists weigh in on the debate, the conversation surrounding the treatment of transgender people and their rights in the current political climate shows no signs of fading anytime soon.
In the meantime, Tesla and Musk’s other ventures remain at the center of controversy, as the company faces increased scrutiny from both consumers and advocacy groups. Musk’s comments, combined with his daughter’s pointed criticisms, are likely to fuel further debate about his leadership and the impact of his public statements on marginalized communities.
