Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines for his controversial statements regarding gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after receiving such care, which has prompted him to advocate for the eradication of what he terms the “woke mind virus.”
During the interview, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter came out as transgender at 16 and underwent gender-affirming procedures during the pandemic. He described feeling misled into signing documents regarding his child’s care, expressing regret and confusion, particularly during the challenging times of COVID-19.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the process of “deadnaming,” which he associates with the loss of his child. He asserted that he was not informed that puberty blockers were equivalent to sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
His remarks coincided with his announcement that his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity in schools and requires state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced criticism for alleged transphobic remarks and has previously engaged in discussions on various topics perceived as right-wing, including his recent endorsement of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.
Musk’s relationship with his daughter, who in 2022 sought a name change and distanced herself from him legally, has been highlighted as a contributing factor to his evolving political stance and sentiments on social issues.