Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care and proclaiming his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.” His comments were aired during an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson.
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, calling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared his personal experience regarding his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender when she was 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk claimed he felt misled into signing documents related to Wilson’s transition, as he was not fully informed about the implications at the time.
He expressed his belief that such procedures are performed on minors who cannot give consent, echoing Peterson’s sentiment that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and deserving of legal consequences. Musk, a father of 12, lamented that he was not told puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, although it should be noted that puberty blockers do not directly impact fertility.
Musk’s comments come shortly after he announced that X, SpaceX, and Tesla would relocate to Texas, citing California’s SAFETY Act that restricts schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever her ties with Musk. He has attributed the strained relationship to the progressive education she received in Los Angeles, claiming it has influenced her views, a dynamic noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from a moderate political stance to more right-wing positions, commenting on issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their oil industry support and opposition to clean energy initiatives.