Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk stated that he is determined to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and revealed that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 after undergoing gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed regret over his involvement in the decision-making process for his child’s care, saying, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He mentioned that he was under significant pressure at the time, citing concerns that Wilson might be at risk of suicide.
The Tesla chief criticized the medical practices associated with gender-affirming care for minors who are below the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that anyone who promotes it should be imprisoned. Musk, who is a father of 12, also alleged that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs.
Musk emphasized the emotional impact of the situation, stating, “I lost my son, essentially.” This remark was linked to the concept of “deadnaming,” where individuals refer to a transgender person’s former name instead of their chosen name.
His remarks come shortly after announcing that several of his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas due to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation bars schools from enforcing rules that require parents to be notified if their child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to provide support for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and new birth certificate, stating her desire to disassociate from her biological father entirely. Musk has previously attributed his strained relationship with her to her progressive school environment. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, this fractured relationship has fueled Musk’s anti-woke sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from a center-left political stance to embrace right-wing arguments on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom oppose clean energy initiatives.