Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which prompted him to express his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” discussing his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic. Musk stated that he felt deceived into signing documents for his child, expressing regret over lacking understanding of the situation at the time.
Musk emphasized that such procedures are performed on children who are not of consenting age, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates of such practices should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers are effectively “sterilization drugs,” although it is known that puberty blockers do not independently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk remarked, stating that he feels he has lost his son due to the changes. His comments come shortly after he announced that his companies, X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, the SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notifications when students identify as transgender.
In 2022, Wilson changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, wanting to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to the progressive education she received, as highlighted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him, which suggests that this rift has influenced Musk’s anti-woke sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk’s political stance has shifted from center-left to embracing various right-wing viewpoints, including criticisms of diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration policies. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidacy of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their support of the oil industry and skepticism towards clean energy initiatives.