Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines with comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This remark was part of an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, in which Musk expressed a strong desire to counter what he described as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk’s comments included characterizations of gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He reflected on his daughter’s journey, revealing that Vivian Jenna Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He claimed he felt misled into consenting to medical procedures for her, expressing regret over the decisions made when there was significant uncertainty due to the pandemic.
During the interview, Musk mentioned his belief that children who are younger than the age of consent undergo these processes and echoed Peterson’s sentiments, labeling the practices as “incredibly evil” and inferring that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. He noted that he was unaware that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not impact fertility on their own.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the concept of “deadnaming” as a way to express his feelings of loss towards his daughter.
His remarks come shortly after announcing that both X and SpaceX would join Tesla in relocating to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and requested a new birth certificate, stating in court documents her desire to no longer be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed their distant relationship to the progressive environment of her school in Los Angeles, a dynamic that has reportedly influenced his anti-woke rhetoric.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from centrist political views to adopt increasingly right-wing positions on various topics, including diversity policies, electoral integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their advocacy of traditional energy policies over clean energy initiatives.