Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed his intent to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter came out as transgender at age 16 and underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. Musk stated, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson, who has since adopted a new surname. He noted that the confusion surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to his lack of understanding regarding the situation.
Musk criticized the practice of providing such care to minors, asserting that it is “incredibly evil” and implied that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. He claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite their classification as treatments that typically do not directly impact fertility.
He also lamented his loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason… because your son is dead.”
These remarks follow Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 legislation, which restricts school policies on notifying parents if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia in the past.
Wilson applied for a name change in 2022, declaring she no longer wishes to be associated with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes the estrangement to her progressive education in Los Angeles, linking it to his broader anti-woke perspective.
Once known for moderate political views, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing stances on various topics, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, aligning with figures who advocate for the fossil fuel industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.