Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson that aired on Monday.
In the interview, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic, revealing her transgender identity at the age of 16. Musk stated he felt misled into consenting to medical procedures for his child, saying, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He noted that this incident occurred before he fully understood the situation, amidst the confusion brought on by COVID-19 and concerns that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors who are below the legal age of consent, agreeing with Peterson’s stance that it is “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who promote such practices should be jailed. He also remarked that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could be regarded as sterilization drugs, although it is known that they do not directly impact fertility.
The billionaire entrepreneur expressed profound sadness regarding his relationship with his daughter, claiming, “I lost my son, essentially,” and described the term “deadnaming” as indicative of a loss.
These statements come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate from California to Texas, in part due to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In court filings from 2022, his daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she wishes to sever all connections with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, according to his biographer Walter Isaacson, who claims this strained connection has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the years, Musk’s political views have shifted from center-left to adopt right-wing stances, addressing topics ranging from diversity initiatives to election integrity and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.