Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently sparked controversy by claiming that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic, coming out as transgender at the age of 16. He expressed regret, stating he felt “tricked” into signing documents related to his child’s care without fully understanding the implications.
The CEO mentioned that he was informed his child might consider suicide if he did not consent to the treatment, leading him to feel he lost his son. He also lamented that the effects of puberty blockers, which he described as “sterilization drugs,” were not adequately explained to him, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
Musk’s remarks come shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would join Tesla in relocating to Texas due to California’s AB1955, legislation that restricts parental notification for transgender identification in schools and mandates resources for LGBTQ+ children. In the past, Musk has faced accusations of promoting transphobic views.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and asked for a new birth certificate, indicating a desire to sever ties with her father. Musk attributed the rift in their relationship to her education at a progressive school in Los Angeles, claiming it has influenced her views against him.
Over the last few years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to adopt more right-wing viewpoints, particularly in matters such as diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he voiced support for the Republican presidential candidacy of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.