Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently commented on his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his desire to combat what he called the “woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
In his remarks, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk shared that he felt he had been misled when he signed documents concerning his daughter, stating that he was under pressure amid the confusion surrounding COVID-19 and was informed that his child might contemplate suicide. He emphasized his belief that the procedures are conducted on children who are below the age of consent and expressed agreement with Peterson’s assertion that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that proponents should face imprisonment.
Additionally, Musk claimed that he wasn’t informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, even though these do not directly affect fertility. He articulated a sentiment of loss regarding his son, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referred to the practice of “deadnaming” as a reason for his grief.
Musk’s remarks surfaced about a week after he revealed plans for his companies, including X and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from having rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender, and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and disseminating anti-trans messages in the past.
His daughter applied for a name change in 2022, stating in court that she did not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk reportedly blames their estrangement on her progressive education in Los Angeles, a theme echoed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which links his anti-woke sentiments to his relationship with Wilson.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to adopt right-wing views on issues ranging from diversity to immigration and election integrity. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.