Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, suggesting that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus,” denouncing gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk disclosed that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He described being misled into signing documents related to her transition, claiming there was a significant amount of confusion at the time, exacerbated by the pandemic. He expressed regret over the situation, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticizing procedures conducted on minors who are not of legal consent age. Musk stated that he believes promoting such care should result in imprisonment, echoing Peterson’s sentiments on the matter.
His comments follow a recent announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas due to California’s AB1955, which affects how schools handle the identity of transgender students. Musk, who has faced accusations of transphobia, also cited the influence of Wilson’s progressive school in Los Angeles as a factor contributing to their estrangement.
Wilson, who applied for a name change and new birth certificate in 2022, has indicated she wishes to sever all ties with her father. Musk’s evolving political stance has increasingly aligned with right-wing viewpoints, particularly concerning topics like diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.