Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was effectively “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed a determination to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday.
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic at the age of 16, prompting a significant change in her life.
During the interview, Musk claimed he was misled into consenting to gender-affirming treatment for Wilson before he fully understood the implications. He described the chaotic circumstances during the COVID pandemic and expressed concerns about his child’s mental health, with suggestions that she might be suicidal.
Musk articulated strong opposition to medical procedures for minors, aligning with Peterson on the belief that such actions are profoundly wrong and should lead to imprisonment for those who endorse them. He asserted that he was never informed that puberty blockers could serve as sterilization drugs, although he acknowledged that these medications do not directly affect fertility.
He lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the concept of “deadnaming” when a transgender individual is called by their birth name.
His statements surfaced shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including X and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas, citing opposition to California’s AB1955, the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing notification rules for parents when a child identifies as transgender and promotes state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced ongoing accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric in public discourse.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and requested a new birth certificate, indicating a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the strain in their relationship to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which links Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments” to his estrangement from Wilson.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left stance to increasingly adopt right-wing views on various issues, from diversity initiatives to elections and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy.