Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which prompted him to express his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
These comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson, which aired Monday. Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk stated that he felt “tricked” into signing documents related to his child’s care, claiming it occurred during a confusing time due to COVID-19, when he was concerned about her mental health. He argued that such procedures are performed on children who are below the legal age of consent and shared his agreement with Peterson on the notion that it is “incredibly evil” and should result in imprisonment for those who promote it. Musk, a father of 12, also mentioned that he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although these drugs do not inherently affect fertility.
In his remarks, Musk emphasized feeling as though he had “lost” his son, as he referred to the term “deadnaming,” which denotes the use of a transgender person’s birth name. His comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate from California to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from imposing rules that require parents to be notified of their child’s transgender identity and mandates the State Department to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has been criticized in the past for alleged transphobia.
In 2022, Wilson sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents her wish to sever ties with Musk completely. Musk has attributed his strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive schooling, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson suggested that this estrangement is a contributing factor to Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent times, Musk has shifted from his previously centrist political stance to adopt more right-wing views, discussing topics like diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy.