Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk criticized gender-reassignment procedures, labeling them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her gender transition during the pandemic at the age of 16.
In the interview, Musk stated he felt misled into signing documents for one of his older children, referring to Wilson, who has since distanced herself from his last name. He recounted that this was prior to his understanding of the situation, as the pandemic brought about significant confusion, and he had been told that Wilson might be at risk of suicide.
Musk emphasized that medical interventions for minors are “far below the age of consent” and echoed Peterson’s sentiments on the matter, calling it “incredibly evil.” He advocated for the imprisonment of those promoting such treatments. Musk, who has a total of 12 children and often discusses issues of fertility and underpopulation, expressed discontent over not being adequately informed that puberty blockers are essentially sterilization drugs, despite medical consensus that puberty blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
He articulated a sense of loss regarding his relationship with his daughter, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referenced the term “deadnaming,” which signifies the grief associated with the loss of one’s child in their previous identity.
Musk’s comments come shortly after his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to offer resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a legal name change and new birth certificate, stating that she wished to sever all ties to her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests that the fractured relationship has fueled Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the years, Musk has shifted from his previous center-left views to adopt more right-wing rhetoric, addressing issues ranging from diversity policies to election integrity. Recently, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known supporters of the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.