Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which led him to pledge to combat the “woke mind virus.” Musk’s comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that his daughter began her transition during the pandemic at the age of 16. He expressed regret over signing documents for Wilson, who no longer uses his last name, suggesting he was misled during a time of confusion related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear that his child might commit suicide.
He argued that procedures were being performed on children who are below the legal age for consent and echoed Peterson’s view that supporting such actions is “incredibly evil,” advocating for imprisonment of those who promote them. Musk, who has 12 children, also claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility.
Musk expressed feelings of loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and highlighted the concept of “deadnaming” as a painful reminder of his son’s identity being erased.
These remarks come on the heels of Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will move to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts communication regarding transgender identification in schools. Musk has faced ongoing accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she no longer wishes to be associated with her biological father. Musk attributes the estrangement from his daughter to the progressive environment at her school in Los Angeles, a situation highlighted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which suggests that this relationship issue has influenced Musk’s rejection of “woke” culture.
Over the years, Musk has shifted from moderate political views to supporting right-leaning perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration policies. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for traditional energy sources over clean energy initiatives.