Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. In a televised interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus,” criticizing gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at 16. He shared that he felt “tricked” into supporting her transition, recalling that he signed documents without fully grasping the situation due to the confusion surrounding COVID-19 and concerns that his child might attempt suicide.
He argued that surgeries and treatments are being provided to children who are not of legal consent age, echoing Peterson’s sentiments about the issue being “incredibly evil,” and stated that individuals promoting such procedures should be imprisoned. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers were effectively sterilization drugs. He asserted, “I was tricked into doing this,” and expressed sorrow over losing his son, suggesting that the term “deadnaming” captures the sense of loss he feels regarding his child’s transition.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, joining Tesla in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from imposing rules requiring parental notification for transgender identification and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson pursued a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their fractured relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, with insights from Walter Isaacson’s biography suggesting that this estrangement has fueled Musk’s anti-woke rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics towards right-wing positions on various issues, endorsing Republican candidates and expressing skepticism towards clean energy initiatives.