Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements regarding his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. He expressed his intentions to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
During the discussion, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He expressed regret over signing documents related to her transition, claiming he felt pressured due to concerns about her mental health.
Musk criticized the practice of gender-affirming care for minors, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and should be punishable by imprisonment. He expressed confusion over the information provided to him regarding puberty blockers, asserting that he was misled into believing that they were harmless, while they do not directly affect fertility.
He lamented, “I lost my son, essentially,” when discussing Wilson’s transition, which he likened to a form of death due to the concept of “deadnaming.”
Musk’s remarks came shortly after he announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, motivated by California’s AB1955, which limits parental notifications regarding a child’s transgender identity and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. His comments have sparked accusations of transphobia.
In 2022, his daughter legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, stating she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their estrangement to her progressive educational environment, alleging that it has influenced her views.
Over recent years, Musk’s political stance has shifted towards more right-wing ideologies, departing from his previous center-left views, particularly in discussions surrounding social issues and political endorsements.