Tesla CEO Elon Musk has recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” criticizing the treatments that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent during the pandemic when she came out as transgender at the age of 16. He mentioned feeling misled into signing documents related to her care and shared that he was concerned about her mental health during that time.
He argued that children who are not of legal consent age should not undergo such medical procedures, asserting that proponents of these treatments should face imprisonment. Musk also remarked that the implications of puberty blockers were not made clear to him, claiming he was unaware that they could lead to sterilization.
Musk’s comments come shortly after he announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, citing discontent with California legislation regarding parental notification for transgender identification in schools. His past actions have drawn accusations of transphobia, and his daughter has publicly distanced herself from him, seeking a name change and expressing a desire to sever ties.
The dynamic between Musk and his daughter has been linked to his evolving political views, as he has increasingly embraced right-wing narratives on various issues, including those related to LGBTQ+ rights and environmental policies. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, indicating a significant shift from his previously more moderate political stance.