Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. These comments emerged during a discussion with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where Musk expressed his intention to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and that she had undergone gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He conveyed feelings of being misled when he agreed to documents for his child’s care, stating that he was under significant stress during the COVID-19 crisis and concerned for her well-being.
The Tesla CEO further criticized the medical practices related to transgender care for minors, stating that children who are below the age of consent should not undergo such procedures. Musk echoed Peterson’s assertion that endorsing these practices is “incredibly evil” and claimed that those promoting them should face imprisonment. Despite his extensive family, Musk suggested he was not properly informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which do not directly affect fertility.
Musk claimed that he feels he has lost his son due to this situation, emphasizing the pain associated with his daughter’s transition. His comments come in the wake of his decision to relocate X and SpaceX to Texas, driven by opposition to California’s AB1955 legislation, which prevents schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and aims to support LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought to change her name and birth certificate, citing a desire to no longer be associated with him. This estrangement has been tied to Musk’s public rhetoric, with his relationship with Wilson being linked to his increasingly right-wing views in recent years. Earlier this month, Musk publicly supported the Republican presidential ticket, marking a shift from his former center-left political stance.