Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed a desire to combat what he describes as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic after coming out as transgender at the age of 16.
He recounted feeling misled when he signed documents related to Wilson’s transition process. Musk mentioned that during the COVID pandemic, he was concerned about his child’s mental health and was told there were risks of suicide if she did not receive the care. He emphasized that these procedures often occur without proper consideration for the children involved, who, according to him, are often too young to provide consent.
Musk echoed Peterson’s sentiments, calling the promotion of such medical interventions “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those advocating for it should face imprisonment. Despite having twelve children, Musk claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, although it is important to clarify that puberty blockers themselves do not directly affect fertility.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the practice of “deadnaming,” which he argues reflects a loss of identity.
His remarks follow an announcement that X and SpaceX, along with Tesla, would relocate to Texas due to California’s new legislation, AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prevents schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and requires state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate to dissociate from Musk, expressing her desire to no longer be related to him. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive education in Los Angeles, with biographer Walter Isaacson noting that this strained relationship has influenced Musk’s increasingly right-leaning views and sentiments against “woke” culture.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from more centrist viewpoints to adopting right-wing stances on various issues, including diversity and immigration policy. Earlier this month, he publicly supported the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.