Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk expressed these views during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, stating his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, received such care during the pandemic. He criticized the process, asserting that he was misled into signing documents concerning his child’s transition, claiming at the time that there were fears of suicide.
He further asserted that the procedures are performed on minors who are below the age of consent, aligning with Peterson’s claim that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil.” Musk expressed regret, stating, “I was tricked into doing this… I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the term “deadnaming” which refers to the use of a transgender person’s birth name.
Musk’s comments follow his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate from California to Texas, citing the state’s AB1955 legislation. This act limits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and anti-trans sentiment in the past.
His daughter legally changed her name and requested a new birth certificate in 2022, distancing herself from Musk, who has attributed their fractured relationship to her progressive school. This estrangement has been linked by biographer Walter Isaacson to Musk’s growing anti-woke rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left views to embrace more right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration, and has publicly supported Republican figures such as former President Donald Trump.