Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed a determination to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He stated that he felt he was misled into consenting to the medical procedures, referencing significant confusion stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for his child’s mental health, which included potential suicide risks.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors “far below the age of consent,” echoing Peterson’s sentiments about its implications. Musk claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility on their own.
Musk expressed grief over what he termed as losing his son, citing the term “deadnaming” as indicative of his son’s “death” in a sense. His remarks surfaced shortly after he announced that his companies, X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas as a reaction to California’s legislation affecting parental notification regarding transgender identification.
His daughter had previously sought a name change in 2022, stating in legal documents her desire to dissociate from Musk completely. He attributed their strained relationship to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, suggesting that this dynamic has influenced his outspoken anti-woke views.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his earlier center-left political stances towards more right-wing perspectives, particularly on issues related to diversity and environmental policies. In his latest political maneuvering, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support fossil fuel interests and are critical of clean energy initiatives.