Elon Musk Points Schooling Strained His Relationship with Daughter: 'She Avoids Spending Time with Me'

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Sep 04, 10:31 am

Photo: (Photo : ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire known for his revolutionary ventures in electric cars and space travel, has recently been under the spotlight, not for his innovations, but for a deeply personal matter. A forthcoming biography on Musk by Walter Isaacson reveals intimate details about his relationship with his trans-daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, and how their estrangement is partly attributed to her progressive education.

The Fallout: Musk Learns of Daughter's Transition Through Third Party

Jenna, who underwent a significant life transition, both in terms of her gender identity and personal beliefs, decided to legally change her name in 2022. This personal revelation wasn't directly communicated to Musk, who instead learned about it through a third party. The impact of this revelation was profound.

According to Isaacson, Musk, who has faced several personal and professional challenges, was deeply pained by this development, even likening the emotional impact to the tragic loss of his infant child, Nevada, years ago.

This strained relationship, however, is not just a tale of a father and daughter growing apart. It's intricately tied to Musk's beliefs about society's progressive shift, or what he terms the 'woke mind virus'.

Musk, known for his candidness, believes that this cultural shift is "anti-science, anti-merit, and anti-human in general." His apprehensions revolve around the idea that, if this trend continues unchecked, it will hinder human civilization's progress, especially his dream of establishing a multi-planetary society.

The woke mind virus is either defeated or nothing else matters
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 12, 2022

But where does this sentiment come from? Musk attributes part of this ideological shift in his daughter to Crossroads, a progressive school she attended in Los Angeles. He believes that Institutions like Crossroads and platforms like Twitter (now X under his ownership) have been amplifying progressive ideologies over conservative ones.

However, a 2022 study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests otherwise, showing that platforms like X might actually favor conservative voices.

Musk's concerns aren't limited to just vocalizing his disagreement. Since taking over Twitter and rebranding it to X, he has taken active measures against what he perceives as the spread of the "woke mind virus", including suspending prominent journalists.

Furthermore, Musk's posts on X display a stark stance against transgender rights, an ironic and controversial choice considering his daughter's own transition journey.

In one of his polarizing posts, Musk championed the idea that minors can't consent to „severe, irreversible changes", referring to gender-affirming treatments. This view contrasts sharply with the stance of major medical institutions, which affirm the benefits and safety of gender-affirming care for minors.

Gender-Affirming Care: A Controversial Public Standoff

While many see Musk's statements as a reflection of his personal strife, they undeniably resonate with a significant portion of society, including figures like right-wing commentator Jordan Peterson. Their shared sentiments, while alarming to some, underscore a broader societal debate about gender, identity, education, and the influence of technology on these discussions.

The revelations from Isaacson's biography provide a complex look into Musk's personal life, but more importantly, they spotlight the intricate web of personal beliefs, familial relationships, societal progress, and the challenges that come with navigating these interconnected realms.

As society grapples with rapid cultural and technological changes, stories like Musk's serve as a reminder of the deeply personal ways in which these shifts impact individuals and families, prompting essential conversations about understanding, acceptance, and the future direction of societal values.