Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly expressed strong opinions regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This remark came during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, where Musk pledged to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
The comments coincided with the unfolding lawsuit against McDonald’s related to an E. coli outbreak associated with its Quarter Pounder burgers. Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” adding that his daughter began her transition during the pandemic, identifying as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk shared his personal experience, claiming he was misled into signing consent documents for his child during a time of confusion exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. He expressed regret over the situation, stating that he feels he has lost his son, referring to the concept of “deadnaming.”
He criticized the medical practices related to transgender youth, particularly pertaining to treatments administered to individuals below the age of consent, asserting that he believes those who advocate for such procedures should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, reiterated his concerns regarding the lack of clarity regarding puberty blockers, which do not inherently affect fertility.
These comments follow Musk’s recent announcement that his businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, partially in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law restricts schools from needing to inform parents if their child identifies as transgender, promoting state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
Wilson, who has distanced herself from Musk by changing her name and seeking a new birth certificate, has publicly declared her desire to sever ties with him. Musk has attributed the deterioration of their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, a sentiment echoed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. In recent times, Musk, who previously had more centrist political views, has shifted towards more right-leaning ideologies, particularly on issues like diversity and immigration, recently endorsing former President Donald Trump’s Republican presidential ticket.