Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines by stating that he feels his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after she underwent gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus,” labeling gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk shared his feelings about the matter and claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s transition while he was not fully informed about the situation. He mentioned that Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, began her journey during the pandemic, and Musk was concerned about her mental health at the time. He expressed regret and a sense of loss, insisting that he feels he has lost a son due to the changes.
Furthermore, Musk criticized the medical practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, calling it “incredibly evil.” He asserted his belief that those who promote these procedures should be imprisoned. He also expressed frustration over not being informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite research indicating they typically do not have a direct impact on fertility.
Musk’s remarks come shortly after his announcement that he would move his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, from California to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, legislation that restricts schools from making parents aware if their child identifies as transgender. This shift aligns with Musk’s recent criticisms of progressive policies and his evolving political stance, which leans more towards conservative ideologies.
In recent developments, Wilson has sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she wishes to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to the influence of her progressive school. His sentiments reflect a broader trend of his increasing embrace of right-wing discussions around issues such as diversity and LGBTQ+ rights.