Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” by the gender-affirming care she received. Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16. He remarked that he felt misled into signing documents concerning Wilson’s care, suggesting that he was made to believe she might be at risk of suicide.
The CEO criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming treatment to minors, asserting his agreement with Peterson’s views that the practice is “incredibly evil,” and asserted that those who promote it should face imprisonment. Musk, who has a total of 12 children, claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, although it is stated that puberty blockers do not directly impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, adding that he feels he lost his son due to the transition. He highlighted that the term “deadnaming” reflects the perceived loss of his son’s identity.
These comments came shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas. This move is in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act, which restricts school policies on notifying parents about their child’s transgender identification and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter filed for a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, the strained relationship with Wilson fuels Musk’s anti-woke views.
Over recent years, Musk, who previously held center-left political beliefs, has shifted towards right-wing perspectives on issues including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he officially endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.