Emmanuel OchayiVivian Wilson Announces Plan to Leave US After Trump Election Victory
In a striking response to Donald Trump’s recent US election victory, Vivian Wilson, the 20-year-old transgender daughter of tech mogul, Elon Musk, announced her intention to leave the United States. Vivian, born Xavier Musk, shared her decision publicly on the social media platform Threads, expressing her discomfort with the political climate under Trump’s leadership.
“I don’t see my future in the United States. Even if anti-trans regulations don’t materialise, the people who voted for this aren’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Wilson wrote.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelVivian’s Concerns with Trump’s Return to Office
Wilson’s decision follows years of personal conflict, both with her father and with the broader political environment in the US. Although Trump’s latest term has not yet introduced any specific policies affecting the transgender community, the spectre of conservative-led legislative changes has raised concerns among advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. Trump’s administration previously reversed several protections for transgender people, sparking fears of further restrictions. “I’ve thought this for a while, but yesterday confirmed it for me,” Wilson added.
Her words highlight an ongoing anxiety felt by members of the LGBTQ+ community. who worry that Trump’s return to office could bolster anti-trans sentiments. The election outcome has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters lauding Trump’s policies on various issues, while critics, like Wilson, voice concern about his potential impact on social rights.
Family Tensions and Name Change
Vivian, who legally changed her name and gender in April 2022, took her mother’s maiden name, distancing herself from her famous father. The move marked an official split from Musk, who has made his own views on gender and sexuality public, sometimes in polarising ways.
In the legal filings for her name change, Wilson stated her wish to sever ties with her father completely, saying, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.”
Musk, who has fathered several children and is a vocal proponent of free speech on his platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has spoken openly about his struggles in understanding Vivian’s transition. Musk has previously referred to her as a “communist” who resents wealth, and he has questioned the legitimacy of puberty blockers, calling them “sterilisation drugs.”
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Elon Musk’s Perspective on the Situation
The father-daughter relationship has been publicly strained, with Musk acknowledging the differences that have driven a wedge between them. Musk claimed that he was “tricked” into consenting to puberty blockers for Wilson.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for Xavier,” Musk said, explaining that the decision occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when he felt under-informed about the implications.
In the past, Musk has criticised puberty blockers as harmful and condemned what he calls the “woke mind virus,” a term he uses to describe ideologies he believes are pushing progressive values too aggressively. He has gone so far as to say that these ideologies “killed” his child, in his view, referring to Wilson’s gender transition.
Vivian’s Reflections on Her Childhood and Future Plans
Vivian, reflecting on her upbringing, expressed frustration with Musk’s comments and his limited involvement in her life. She described feeling stereotyped and misunderstood by her father, who she says was dismissive of her identity.
“He doesn’t know what I was like as a child because he simply wasn’t there,” Wilson said, criticizing her father’s views on femininity and queerness.
For Wilson, Trump’s election has brought her plans to leave the country to the forefront. She views the US political climate as increasingly unwelcoming for transgender people, particularly under leadership that she feels threatens to undo social progress made in recent years.
Broader Reactions to Trump’s Election Among LGBTQ+ Communities
The LGBTQ+ community has been vocal in its apprehension following Trump’s win, with activists noting a resurgence in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that many worry could translate into policy. Advocacy organisations are pushing for protections and are mobilising to support community members who may feel vulnerable during the upcoming term.
For people like Wilson, Trump’s election underscores the challenges many in the LGBTQ+ community face as they navigate a polarised social landscape. Her decision to leave the United States reflects a sentiment shared by those who feel disillusioned and disconnected from the country’s current direction under Trump’s leadership.
Wilson’s announcement, while deeply personal, is also emblematic of broader fears within the LGBTQ+ community about what Trump’s leadership might mean for their rights and freedoms. The situation highlights how shifts in political power can have immediate and profound effects on individuals’ personal decisions and future plans, particularly those from marginalised groups.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
