Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” due to gender-affirming care. He vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and noted that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who identifies as transgender, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic after coming out at the age of 16.
He expressed feelings of being misled in the decision-making process concerning his child, indicating that he was pressured into signing documents during a confusing time exacerbated by COVID-19. Musk stated that he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide without the procedures involved, adding, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.”
Musk criticized the treatment of minors who are offered such medical interventions, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers are “actually just sterilization drugs,” despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
His comments coincided with his decision to relocate his business ventures, including X and SpaceX, to Texas, following California’s AB1955 legislation, which restricts schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender.
Musk’s daughter legally changed her name and birth certificate in 2022, stating that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. He attributes the estranged relationship to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, as mentioned in Walter Isaacson’s biography. In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously centrist political stance and has adopted more right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including endorsement of Republican candidates.