Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus” and condemned gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16. During the interview, Musk shared that he felt he was misled into signing consent forms concerning his child’s care, stating he was worried for her safety amid concerns of potential suicide.
He emphasized that he believes children at a young age, who are “far below the age of consent,” are subjected to such treatments. Musk aligned himself with Peterson’s assertion that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates of the treatments ought to face imprisonment. While discussing puberty blockers, Musk claimed he was not informed that they function as sterilization drugs, though it is known that puberty blockers alone do not directly impact fertility.
Musk also lamented his perceived loss of his son, referencing the term “deadnaming,” which refers to the act of using a transgender person’s birth name. He stated, “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments follow Musk’s recent announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will be relocating to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and aims to provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk’s past comments have drawn accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing in court documents her desire to sever ties with her father. Musk reportedly attributes the estrangement to her upbringing in a progressive school setting, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which depicts Musk’s strained relationship with Wilson as a factor influencing his anti-woke rhetoric.
Over recent years, Musk, who was once associated with center-left ideologies, has increasingly embraced right-wing viewpoints concerning issues like diversity policies and immigration. He recently endorsed Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.