Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has made headlines with controversial comments regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, suggesting that she was “killed” by gender-affirming care, and pledging to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recounted that Wilson, who publicly came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk expressed that he felt misled when he signed documents related to her care, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson, who has since distanced herself from his last name. He noted that this occurred amid confusion due to the pandemic and concerns about his child’s potential suicidal ideation.
Musk criticized the treatment of minors, claiming it is conducted on those who are not yet of legal consent age, echoing Peterson’s assertion that such practices are “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who promote them should face imprisonment. He further asserted that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs. However, medical experts clarify that puberty blockers by themselves do not induce permanent infertility. Musk poignantly stated, “I lost my son, essentially,” reflecting his feelings about the estrangement caused by his daughter’s transition.
These comments emerged shortly after Musk declared that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in reaction to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from mandating notification to parents if their child identifies as transgender, and seeks to provide state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of engaging in transphobic rhetoric.
Wallace Isaacson’s biography highlights that Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, asserting she wishes to sever all ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive influences of Wilson’s school in Los Angeles, which Isaacson linked to Musk’s “anti-woke” views.
In recent times, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance, increasingly endorsing right-wing ideologies concerning diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly supported the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of traditional energy policies rather than clean energy initiatives.