Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This remark emerged during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where Musk suggested he was motivated to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and identified as transgender at age 16. He expressed regret over signing documents concerning Wilson’s care, stating that he felt misled amidst the confusion caused by COVID-19 and concerns that his child might be suicidal.
Musk criticized the medical intervention provided to children who he claims are “far below the age of consent,” aligning himself with Peterson’s opinion that such practices are “incredibly evil.” He further argued that those advocating for these procedures should face imprisonment. He claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, although these medications do not directly impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, stating that he feels he has lost his son. His comments come shortly after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, motivated by California’s AB1955 SAFETY Act, which limits parental notification concerning transgender identification in schools.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, declaring she does not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive educational environment in Los Angeles, a theme explored in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. The book suggests that his strained relations with Wilson have influenced Musk’s growing anti-woke sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from centrist politics to adopt more right-leaning ideologies, voicing opinion on issues ranging from diversity initiatives to election fraud. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican Party’s presidential nominees, former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.