Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed strong views about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. This statement was made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where Musk declared his intention to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He noted that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled when he signed documents concerning his child, particularly referring to concerns over her mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.
He criticized the practice of providing such care to minors, stating that he agrees with Peterson’s viewpoint that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates of this care should face imprisonment. Musk also remarked that he was not informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that these blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk lamented the impact on his family, claiming, “I lost my son, essentially,” and noted the term “deadnaming,” which refers to the use of a person’s previous name, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes.
His comments come shortly after announcing that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, motivated by California’s AB1955, or SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing policies that mandate parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and requires state resources to assist LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and expressed in court documents a desire to dissociate from her biological father completely. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes his strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that this dynamic influences his “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to adopt right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of the oil industry and opponents of efforts toward clean energy.