Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his strong opposition to gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter suffered fatal consequences following such care, and he vowed to combat what he described as the “woke mind virus.”
In a discussion aired Monday, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received these treatments during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16. He mentioned feeling deceived into consenting to medical procedures for his child, citing a concern for her mental health amidst the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk stated that the medical procedures are administered to minors who are not of legal consent age, aligning with Peterson’s views that advocate for stricter regulations against such practices. He expressed a belief that those who promote gender-affirming treatments for children deserve imprisonment, further noting that he had not been informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization.
He lamented the loss of his son, referring to the concept of “deadnaming” as a painful reality. Musk’s statements followed news that he plans to relocate Tesla and SpaceX to Texas, partially in response to California’s AB1955 law, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and facilitates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Musk’s daughter has distanced herself from him, applying for a name change and declaring in court that she wishes to sever any ties to her biological father. Musk has attributed this estrangement to her progressive education. According to author Walter Isaacson, this strained father-daughter relationship is a significant driver behind Musk’s recent anti-woke rhetoric.
Over the past few years, Musk, who previously held centrist political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing positions, notably endorsing Republican candidates and advocating for policies supportive of the fossil fuel industry.