Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his desire to “destroy the woke mind virus” and criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk revealed that his daughter, who came out as transgender at 16 and no longer uses his last name, received gender-affirming care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that he was misled into signing documents concerning Wilson, citing concerns about her mental health and the possibility of her committing suicide.
He criticized the practice of providing such care to minors, stating it is “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Musk also expressed concern that he was never informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization.
Claiming that he had been deceived, Musk lamented the loss of his son and referred to the term “deadnaming” as indicative of his grief. His remarks come shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law restricts parental notification regarding a child’s gender identity and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth.
In the wake of Musk’s comments, there has been ongoing criticism regarding his perceived anti-trans messaging. His daughter has previously sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she wishes to sever ties with him entirely. According to biographies, Musk blames his strained relationship with Wilson on her progressive schooling, which he claims has influenced her views.
Musk’s political stance has shifted significantly over recent years, moving from center-left to embracing more right-wing rhetoric, including support for former President Donald Trump and opposition to clean energy initiatives.