Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed a commitment to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk’s comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday. He denounced gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned at the age of 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Reflecting on his past, Musk revealed he felt he was misled into signing documents for his daughter, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He added that the situation occurred during a time of confusion caused by COVID-19, and he was led to believe that his child was at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized gender-affirming medical procedures, labeling them “incredibly evil” and advocated for severe punishment for those who promote them. He asserted that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, even though puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, referring to his daughter’s transition. He expressed grief over the loss of his son, stating the term “deadnaming” signifies that he believes his son is no longer alive.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when a student identifies as transgender and requires state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans sentiment in the past.
In 2022, his daughter applied for a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court she no longer wishes to be associated with her father. Musk has attributed their estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in a biography of Musk by Walter Isaacson.
Once recognized for his moderate political views, Musk has shifted toward right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and election integrity. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidacy of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are pro-oil and critical of clean energy initiatives.