Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Vivian Jenna Wilson - the 21-year-old trans daughter of tech boss Elon Musk - has clapped back after her father slammed her gender identity as the result of a 'woke mind virus'.
Musk's initial remark was made on Thursday (11 December), in response to a discussion had by California governor Gavin Newsom on LGBTQ+ sports.
Appearing on New York Times columnist Ezra Klein’s show, Newsom explained: "That’s an issue no one wants to hear about, because 80 percent of the people listening disagree with my position on this, but it comes from my heart, not just my head. It wasn’t a political aberration."
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Newsom added: "I want to see more trans kids… I have a trans godson.
"There’s no governor who’s signed more pro-trans legislation than I have."
Footage of the interaction was shared by Tesla CEO, Musk's America political action committee, after which Newcom's press office jestingly commented, 'We’re sorry your daughter hates you, Elon', in reference to his estranged child, Wilson.
In response, the 54-year-old responded by both deadnaming and misgendering Wilson, writing: "I assume you’re referring to my son, Xavier, who has a tragic mental illness caused by the evil woke mind virus you push on vulnerable children."
Musk added: "I love Xavier very much and hope he recovers.
"My daughters are Azure, Exa (she goes by Y) and Arcadia, and they do indeed love me very much."
In her initial reply, Wilson claimed she'd been 'doing [her] response' to her father's comments 'later', adding: "I can not say I expected senators to fight about me on a Friday morning."
However, she has since fully responded to her father's public criticism, using Musk's own words against him.
In an update to her Threads profile, Wilson wrote: "Tragic mental illness caused by the evil woke mind virus."
While Wilson might be able to brush off her father's hateful remarks, a number of social media users haven't been able to stop themselves from hitting back.
"No matter what you think about Elon, hitting him with his children is the lowest you can get," one wrote.
Another added: "Kids are off limits. What Gavin Newsom’s team did was shameful.
"I’m sorry you were put in a situation where you had to defend your kid, Elon."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected].
Rhianna Benson