Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk vowed to combat what he terms the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender reassignment procedures, labeling them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who now does not use his last name, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at 16.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, indicating his unease about the situation. He also shared that there was considerable confusion at the time due to the pandemic, which led to concerns for his child’s mental health.
Musk expressed that he believes the surgery and related processes are performed on minors who cannot legally consent, stating it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that proponents of such actions should face imprisonment. He argued he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, although it’s noted that puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, expressing grief over what he considers a loss of his son and touching on the concept of “deadnaming.”
These comments surfaced soon after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, partly as a reaction to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from alerting parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, his daughter sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes his strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive school environment, linking it to his increasingly vocal anti-woke views.
Musk, who previously held centrist political views, has shifted toward right-wing rhetoric on various issues, including diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of fossil fuels and opposition to clean energy initiatives.