Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” by gender-affirming care and expressing a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.” These comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and reflected on his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. He stated that he felt misled into consenting to the care for his child, revealing that he was initially confused due to the overwhelming circumstances presented during the COVID-19 crisis.
Musk voiced his strong opposition to medical procedures involving children who have not reached the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that such practices are “incredibly evil.” He expressed regret and frustration, claiming that he was not informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility.
He also lamented the overall loss of his son, implying that the name change his daughter underwent is akin to loss, referencing the term “deadnaming” as a reflection of that sentiment. This comes in the wake of Musk’s business decisions to relocate X and SpaceX to Texas, partially as a response to California’s AB1955 legislation, which impacts how schools handle transgender identity notifications to parents.
Musk’s relationship with Wilson has been strained, with her pursuing a name change and indicating she wishes to sever ties with him. He previously attributed the distance between them to her education in a progressive school. Musk’s political views have shifted significantly in recent years, moving from center-left positions to a more right-wing perspective, particularly in discussions surrounding social issues and environmental policies.