Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. He expressed a determination to “destroy the woke mind virus” in a conversation with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday.
During the interview, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He spoke about his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16. Musk recounted feeling misled when he signed documents related to her care, expressing that this occurred amidst the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated he was concerned for Wilson’s well-being at that time, as he had been told she might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the medical procedures performed on minors, which he believes occur before the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson’s view that such practices are “incredibly evil.” He further claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers could act as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that these medications do not inherently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, suggesting he had lost his son and reflecting on the term “deadnaming,” which he described as indicative of a loss.
These statements from Musk come shortly after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prevents schools from mandating parental notification if a student identifies as transgender and requires the state to offer resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans views in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, asserting in court documents her desire to dissociate from her father. Musk has attributed their estranged relationship to the progressive environment of her school in Los Angeles, a dynamic noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. Isaacson suggests that this strained relationship with Wilson contributes to Musk’s sentiments against what he characterizes as “woke” culture.
Once considered center-left in his political views, Musk has shifted toward right-wing rhetoric on various issues, including diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential campaign of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom have been critical of clean energy initiatives.