Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his determination to combat what he referred to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He expressed regret over signing documents related to this, saying, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson who no longer uses his last name. He recalled being misled into believing that his child might be at risk of suicide, which he stated contributed to his confusion at the time.
He further criticized the process of administering gender-affirming treatments to minors, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and implying that those who promote such treatments should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility.
Musk also expressed feelings of loss regarding his relationship with his daughter, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referring to the concept of “deadnaming” to emphasize his emotional turmoil.
These comments from Musk follow his announcement that he would be moving X and SpaceX operations to Texas, in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require parents to be notified if their child identifies as transgender and mandates that the State Department provide resources for LGBTQ+ children.
Musk’s daughter filed for a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating that she no longer wishes to have any association with Musk. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes his estranged relationship with Wilson to her progressive educational environment, suggesting that it plays a role in his increasingly vocal “anti-woke” views.
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to adopt more right-wing perspectives on diverse issues, including diversity initiatives and election integrity. Recently, he endorsed the Republican ticket for the upcoming presidential election, which features former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom have shown support for the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.