Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
In his comments, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16. Musk revealed that he felt misled into signing documents regarding his child’s transition before he fully understood the situation, amidst the confusion brought on by COVID-19 and concerns about his child’s mental health.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, asserting that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who promote such care should face imprisonment. He claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers could be seen as sterilization drugs, although such blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
The Tesla CEO said, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.” He highlighted the term “deadnaming,” explaining its significance to him as a representation of the loss of his son.
These remarks come shortly after Musk announced that X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, citing California’s legislation, AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from enforcing parental notification rules when a child identifies as transgender and mandates the provision of resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she no longer wished to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed his strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive school environment, as depicted in Walter Isaacson’s biography on him. The text portrays Musk’s views as possibly influenced by this estrangement.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to embracing right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He has also shown support for the Republican party’s presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.