Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his commitment to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson aired on Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk recounted that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that he felt misled into signing documents related to his daughter’s care, expressing concern over the potential for her to commit suicide at the time. Musk criticized the procedures undertaken by children he says are below the age of consent and agreed with Peterson’s assertions that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil” and should be punishable by imprisonment.
Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers were effectively sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility. “I was tricked into doing this,” he stated, conveying feelings of loss regarding his son, emphasizing the concept of “deadnaming,” which he claims signifies a profound loss.
These statements follow Musk’s announcement that companies under his leadership, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and allocates resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
Wilson legally changed her name and applied for a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating she no longer wishes to have any connection with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk has attributed his estrangement from Wilson to her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that the strained relationship has fueled his “anti-woke” rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previous center-left political stance to embrace more right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity initiatives and election integrity. He recently endorsed the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of the oil industry and opponents of clean energy.