Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines for his controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk claimed that his daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which he condemned as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus” in response to his beliefs about gender identity issues.
Musk, who has expressed his perspectives on various social issues, disclosed that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 and that she received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled when signing documents regarding his child’s care, stating that at the time, he was concerned about her mental health, including potential suicidal thoughts.
In his comments, Musk reiterated that medical procedures like puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgeries are performed on minors “who are far below the age of consent,” aligning with his view that such practices are harmful. He asserted he was unaware that puberty blockers act as sterilization drugs, which has raised questions about his understanding of the medical process.
These remarks come in the context of Musk’s ongoing criticism of policies in California that relate to transgender youth. Recently, he announced that several of his companies would move to Texas in part due to California’s legislation concerning notification requirements for parents of transgender youth.
Musk’s daughter legally changed her name in 2022, stating that she wanted to sever ties with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he attributes their strained relationship to the influence of her progressive education. Musk’s evolving political stance has leaned more rightward in recent years, and he has been linked to various conservative issues ranging from diversity and inclusion initiatives to discussions about election integrity and energy policies.