Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, broadcast on Monday, Musk expressed a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk described feeling “tricked” into signing documents concerning Wilson, who has since distanced herself from her father’s surname. He recalled the confusion during the COVID pandemic, saying he was told there were concerns about her mental health and potential suicidal thoughts. Musk criticized the procedures done on minors who are below the age of consent and aligned with Peterson’s view that such practices are “incredibly evil,” calling for imprisonment for those who promote them. He also stated that he was not informed that puberty blockers, which are often administered during the transition process, are sterilization drugs, although it is noted that they do not directly affect fertility.
Musk shared that he feels he has lost his son, citing the term “deadnaming” to express his grief about the situation. His comments occur shortly after he announced that his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when a student identifies as transgender and aims to provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents that she wanted no connection to her biological father. Musk has suggested the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles has contributed to their estrangement, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the billionaire. Isaacson posits that this rift has fueled Musk’s “anti-woke” sentiments.
Musk’s political views have shifted significantly in recent years, moving from center-left to aligning more with right-wing ideologies, particularly regarding diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for traditional energy sources and oppose clean energy initiatives.