Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” due to gender-affirming care, which led him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk mentioned feeling misled into signing documents concerning his child, as he was confused during the COVID crisis and worried about the possibility of Wilson committing suicide. He criticized the processes involved, suggesting they are applied to children who have not yet reached the age of consent, and supported Peterson’s view that promoting such procedures is “incredibly evil,” suggesting imprisonment for those involved. He also mentioned that he was not informed that puberty blockers function as “sterilization drugs,” though these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Expressing deep regret, Musk said, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” highlighting the terminology of “deadnaming” as indicative of the loss he feels regarding his relationship with his daughter.
These comments followed Musk’s announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification about children’s gender identity in schools and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive educational environment, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, where he claims this relationship strain has influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Once known for his centrist views, Musk has increasingly embraced right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Recent endorsements have included support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are advocates for the oil industry and opponents of clean energy solutions.