What Elon Musk Has Said About Transgender People Amid Pronoun Dustup

Elon Musk is at the center of controversy again after he took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci in a tweet that was also seen as a jab at transgender people.

The billionaire Twitter CEO, whose deal to take over the platform was finalized in late October, criticized the White House's soon-to-be-retired chief medical adviser by tweeting on Sunday: "My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci."

Fauci advocated for people to get vaccinated and wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic but has come under scrutiny from conservatives and conspiracy theorists over restrictions and the medical advice he offered.

The top immunologist became a target of people who questioned the benefits of the vaccine, saying it was dangerous. Various claims about the COVID-19 vaccine's safety have repeatedly been dispelled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Amid the criticism over Musk's apparent stance on Fauci's advice during the pandemic, Kyle Griffin, an MSNBC executive producer, pointed out that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO's tweet was "denigrating the trans community."

"The man who shared disinformation about Paul Pelosi, allowed hate speech to flourish on his platform, and endorsed Ron DeSantis in 2024 is now calling for the prosecution of a public health professional (and denigrating the trans community at the same time)," Griffin tweeted.

Newsweek has taken a look at what Musk said about pronouns and transgender people in the past.

"Pronouns Suck"

In July 2020, Musk opened himself up to backlash when he tweeted a controversial two-word opinion: "Pronouns suck."

At the time, his comments received huge backlash online, with his then-partner Grimes replying in a since-deleted tweet: "I love you but please turn off ur phone or give me a [call]. I cannot support hate. Please stop this. I know this isn't your heart."

Later that year, Musk was criticized once again for sharing a meme seemingly mocking people who put their pronouns in their online bios.

Clarifying his stance after receiving further backlash, Musk tweeted on December 16, 2020: "I absolutely support trans, but all these pronouns are an esthetic nightmare."

His Transgender Daughter

Earlier this year, it was revealed that one of Musk's children is transgender. She asked for a new name and birth certificate through the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The young woman is one of six children that Musk had with his ex-wife, Justine Wilson.

According to multiple reports, her legally recognized name is Vivian Jenna Wilson. She wrote in her application for the name change, which was filed in April, that the reason is on the grounds of "Gender Identity and the fact that I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form."

In an October interview with the Financial Times, Musk said that his child's decision to distance herself from him was influenced by "neo-Marxists" at educational institutions.

"It's full-on communism and a general sentiment that if you're rich, you're evil," Musk said, though he did not specify which establishments he was referring to.

The entrepreneur noted that his strained relationship with his daughter "may change" in the future, adding: "I have very good relationships with all the others. Can't win them all."

In June, Musk voiced his support for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis is known for his support of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida and holds a 0 rating from the Human Rights Campaign for his voting record on LGBTQ-related issues and legislation.

Musk quietly welcomed twins last November with Shivon Zilis, an executive at his artificial intelligence company Neuralink, Insider reported in July.

He is known to have nine living children—five with his ex-wife, Wilson, including one set of twins and one set of triplets; two with Zilis, and another two with singer Grimes, real name Claire Boucher. Early in their marriage, Musk and Wilson welcomed their son Nevada Alexander in 2002. He died of sudden infant death syndrome at 10 weeks old.