Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, recently took to the platform to attack CNN for allegedly “refusing” to identify the Minneapolis shooter as transgender. Musk quote-tweeted a user noting that CNN’s report did not mention the shooter’s gender identity and added: “CNN is deeply infected with the woke mind virus.” His remark once again placed him at the centre of America’s culture war, ensuring that the aftermath of the Minneapolis tragedy became as much about media narratives as the attack itself.
Was the Shooter Trans?
Authorities later confirmed that 23-year-old Robin Westman, the gunman responsible for the attack at Annunciation Catholic School, identified as transgender. Whether that fact is relevant to the motive remains uncertain, but its omission in some early reports has fuelled debate. Critics accused newsrooms of ideological bias, while others argued that highlighting the detail risks further marginalising trans people.
Musk’s Long History with Trans Ideology
Musk’s commentary reflects his long-running hostility to what he calls “woke ideology.” Over the years, he has mocked pronoun use, derided protections for trans people, and pledged to oppose gender-affirming care for minors. His position has often sparked criticism from activists and employees alike, but he has remained defiant, presenting himself as a defender of “common sense” against progressive overreach.
Musk’s Son Transitioned: Vivian Jenna Wilson
Musk’s stance has also drawn attention because of his personal history. His eldest child, once known as Xavier Musk, transitioned in 2020 and is now legally recognised as Vivian Jenna Wilson. She chose her mother’s surname and sought to sever ties with her father, citing his attitudes towards her identity. In later interviews, Vivian described struggling with Musk’s dismissive views and his distance as a parent, while embracing her own voice as a young trans woman. Their estrangement has become a symbolic subplot in Musk’s wider war against trans ideology.
The Shooter’s Identity and Politics
Westman’s broader profile paints a picture of confusion and rage rather than clear ideology. His weapons were daubed with hateful slogans: anti-Catholic, anti-India, anti-Israel and anti-Trump messages jumbled together alongside crude internet graffiti. Investigators believe his worldview was less a political doctrine than a chaotic reflection of extremist online spaces.
Right-Wing Reactions
Many right-wing and MAGA-aligned voices quickly seized on the shooter’s transgender identity to frame the tragedy through culture-war lenses.House GOP Whip Tom Emmer demanded the repeal of Minnesota’s “trans refuge” law, claiming it encouraged confusion among youth and undermined parental rights. He also called for the FBI to classify the shooting as both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism.On the fringes, commentators tied to conspiracy-driven platforms portrayed media coverage of the shooter’s gender identity as a “victory” for independent journalism—though even some on their side cautioned that such rhetoric was callous so soon after the deaths of children.The response reflected a broader pattern: instead of focusing primarily on gun access or security lapses, much of the right turned the spotlight onto gender ideology. Musk’s own intervention amplified this reaction, making the shooter’s trans identity central to the political fallout.
Event Summary
The reality of the attack itself was grim. On Wednesday morning, Westman approached the Annunciation Catholic School during a back-to-school Mass and opened fire through the stained-glass windows with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol—all purchased legally. Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed. Seventeen others, including 14 classmates and three elderly parishioners, were wounded. Westman later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the act “absolutely incomprehensible,” while Mayor Jacob Frey said the children “should be able to pray and play in peace.” The school year had opened with the theme “A future filled with hope.” Instead, Annunciation’s shattered windows now stand as testimony to another American community devastated by gun violence.
