Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” mentioning that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic. He claimed he was misled into signing documents related to her transition, saying, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.”
He expressed his belief that procedures are performed on children who are below the age of consent, aligning with Peterson in calling it “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who promote such practices should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, stated he was not informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite puberty blockers not directly affecting fertility.
Musk articulated feelings of loss regarding his relationship with his daughter, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticized the term “deadnaming,” explaining that it signifies the loss of his son’s identity.
These comments followed his announcement that he would be relocating Tesla and SpaceX operations from California to Texas, in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating that parents be informed when their child identifies as transgender and requires state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, asserting she wants no connection to Musk. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive education, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which also suggests that this estrangement has influenced Musk’s growing anti-woke sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted away from his previously moderate political views, adopting more right-wing stances on various issues, including diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support traditional energy sectors and oppose clean energy initiatives.