Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intention to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and added that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, accessed gender-affirming care during the pandemic, coming out as transgender at age 16. He claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding the treatment of his child, which he associates with a risk of suicide, particularly during the confusion of the COVID crisis.
Musk expressed his belief that such medical procedures are performed on minors who cannot give consent and supported Peterson’s view that it is “incredibly evil” and that those who promote it should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, though these blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
Musk lamented the loss of his son, stating that the term “deadnaming” signifies that “your son is dead.” His comments surfaced shortly after announcing that his companies, X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California legislation, AB1955, which includes provisions related to notifying parents about their children identifying as transgender.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating her desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed their fractured relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting it contributed to his recent “anti-woke” sentiments. Over the years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to increasingly align with right-wing viewpoints, recently endorsing former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.