Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk shared that he felt pressured into signing documents concerning one of his children, expressing regret for not fully understanding the situation at the time, which coincided with the COVID pandemic. He also expressed concern that children who receive such care are often below the age of consent and referred to the promotion of these practices as “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Although Musk has claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers amount to “sterilization drugs,” it should be noted that these medications do not directly affect fertility.
He articulated a sense of loss regarding his relationship with his daughter, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referencing the term “deadnaming” as indicative of this loss. Musk’s remarks come shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including X and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s AB1955 legislation, which supports LGBTQ+ youth rights. This move follows accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging directed at Musk in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change, expressing her desire to sever ties with her biological father. It has been reported that Musk attributes the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, which has been suggested as a factor in his broader anti-woke sentiments. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to adopting more right-wing views, particularly on issues related to diversity and election integrity. Recently, he endorsed the Republican ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both critics of clean energy initiatives.