In a striking and controversial remark, tech billionaire Elon Musk has said that the “woke mind virus” has “killed” his son — referring not to a literal death, but to the gender transition and estrangement of his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who was born Xavier Musk.

The comment, which Musk made during a recent interview on The Ben Shapiro Show in April 2025, is the most explicit and emotional statement to date regarding his rift with Vivian, who legally changed her name and gender in 2022 and stated in court documents that she wanted “no relation” to her biological father.

“This is not just a matter of a kid being who they are,” Musk said. “This is ideological possession. The woke mind virus has infected so many, and in my case, it killed my son — because I no longer have one.”

A Family Torn Apart

Vivian, who now lives under her mother Justine Musk’s last name, has remained entirely private since her transition, choosing not to engage publicly despite her father’s global fame and ongoing statements about transgender issues. Musk, on the other hand, has become increasingly vocal in recent years — not only about politics and AI, but about what he sees as the cultural dangers of “wokeness,” especially in academic institutions.

He blames elite progressive schools, social media, and what he calls “radical gender ideology” for turning his child against him. Musk has previously implied that the American education system had a role in “brainwashing” Vivian, but this is the first time he has described her as having been effectively “lost.”

Critics Respond: ‘Your Child Is Not Dead’

The backlash was swift. LGBTQ+ advocates and public figures condemned Musk’s wording as dehumanizing and dangerous.

“Your child isn’t dead — she’s living her truth,” one trans activist tweeted. “To suggest otherwise is cruel and deeply harmful to the millions of trans youth already at risk.”

Others pointed out that Musk’s framing reinforces the idea that a trans identity is a kind of death or loss, a narrative that has been used to alienate and shame transgender individuals for decades — particularly within families.

Still, some conservative commentators applauded Musk’s candor, seeing his story as a warning about the influence of modern liberal culture on youth identity and family structure.

A Pattern of Polarizing Comments

Musk’s statement follows a pattern of incendiary remarks on gender and identity. He has openly mocked the use of gender pronouns in the past and frequently reposts content that questions the legitimacy of trans healthcare, especially for minors.

He has also warned that “civilization itself is at risk” if progressive ideologies are allowed to flourish unchallenged — positioning himself as a defender of what he sees as reason and reality.

Yet, for all his intellect and technological prowess, Musk’s critics argue that he seems unable — or unwilling — to extend empathy toward his own child’s personal journey.

A Daughter’s Silence Speaks Volumes

Vivian has not publicly responded to her father’s latest statement. But in many ways, her decision to walk away from the Musk name and build a quiet life of her own speaks louder than any rebuttal.

She has become a symbol — unwillingly, perhaps — of the divide between generations, between personal truth and public ideology, and between parental love and political conviction.

And while Elon Musk may claim he lost a son, what he may have truly lost is something even more human: a connection with his daughter.