Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to combat what he referred to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16. He mentioned feeling deceived into signing documents for Wilson, who no longer uses Musk’s last name, highlighting the confusion surrounding the situation due to the pandemic.
He claimed that he was informed his child was at risk of suicide and expressed his belief that medical procedures for minors, particularly those “far below the age of consent,” are “incredibly evil.” Musk echoed Peterson’s sentiments that advocates of such procedures should face imprisonment. He also asserted that he was not informed that puberty blockers could effectively lead to sterilization, despite them not directly affecting fertility.
Musk expressed regret, stating, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.” He referred to the term “deadnaming,” suggesting it signifies the loss of his son’s identity.
These remarks follow Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will be relocating to Texas due to California’s AB1955, which restricts parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating she wishes to sever connections with her biological father. Musk has attributed the distance in their relationship to the progressive school his daughter attended, as detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained relationship is said to have influenced Musk’s vocalization of “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over recent years, Musk’s political views have shifted from center-left to more right-leaning perspectives, covering topics like diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.