Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter during a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” due to receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to express a desire to combat the “woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” revealing that Vivian, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He claimed he had been “tricked” into signing documents concerning her healthcare decisions, and he expressed that there was significant confusion surrounding the situation exacerbated by COVID-19.
He criticized the practice of providing such medical interventions to minors below the age of consent and voiced agreement with Peterson’s assertion that promoting these procedures is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that advocates for such care should face imprisonment. Musk claimed that he was unaware that puberty blockers could impact fertility, although they do not affect fertility solely on their own.
Musk lamented the loss of his son, using the term “deadnaming” to describe the situation, which he equated to the death of his son in a metaphorical sense. His statements come just days after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, a law that prohibits schools from informing parents if a child identifies as transgender.
Vivian sought a name change and new birth certificate in 2022, indicating in court documents that she wished to sever all ties with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributed his strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive school in Los Angeles, which he believes has influenced her views.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stances towards more right-wing positions on various societal issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.