Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. He vowed to combat what he described as the “woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, broadcast on Monday, Musk condemned gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic at the age of 16.
Musk recounted feeling “tricked” into signing documents for his daughter, who no longer uses his last name. He expressed regret for acting without fully understanding the situation, particularly during the uncertainties of the COVID pandemic. He stated he was informed that his child might attempt suicide, which prompted his actions.
The tech entrepreneur criticized the medical procedures involving minors, asserting that they are “far below the age of consent,” and endorsed Peterson’s view that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that individuals involved should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers act as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not affect fertility on their own.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated. “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
Musk’s comments followed his announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, joining Tesla, in response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and requires the state to offer resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, his daughter sought to change her name and obtain a new birth certificate, stating in court that she no longer wishes to have any relationship with her biological father. Musk has attributed his estranged relationship with Wilson to her progressive education, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which suggests that this could be a contributing factor to his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from center-left political views towards embracing right-wing positions on issues such as diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.