Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. His statements came during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he expressed his intent to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
In the interview, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recounted a past experience where he felt pressured into signing documents relating to Wilson’s gender transition during the pandemic when she was 16. Musk claimed he was misled into believing that his child was at risk of suicide, which influenced his decision at the time.
He further expressed his belief that such procedures are harmful to children “who are far below the age of consent,” echoing Peterson’s sentiments about the issue being “incredibly evil.” Musk stated that he was never informed that puberty blockers, which are often used as part of the transition process, function as sterilization drugs, although it is noted that puberty blockers do not affect fertility on their own.
Musk described the situation, saying, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.” He indicated that the term “deadnaming” represents a profound loss, implying that his son is no longer alive in the way he knew him.
These comments arose shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, influenced by California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating that parents be informed if their child identifies as transgender and requires state resources to support LGBTQ+ individuals. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
Wilson, in 2022, applied for a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court that she wished to sever ties with Musk entirely. Musk attributed the strained relationship to her education at a progressive school in Los Angeles, a disconnect that has been linked to his “anti-woke” views, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously centrist political stance, increasingly endorsing right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration policies. This month, he publicly supported the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, both of whom oppose clean energy initiatives.