Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed his intention to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s care, emphasizing that he was unaware of the implications at the time and was influenced by concerns for her mental wellbeing.
He criticized the medical process, stating that it is provided to children who are below the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s assertion that promoting such treatments is “incredibly evil,” advocating for legal consequences for those who support it. Despite Musk’s assertions, it is important to note that puberty blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk lamented losing his son, stating, “They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.” His comments come shortly after announcing that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification concerning transgender-identifying children in schools.
Musk’s relationship with his daughter has strained significantly, with her seeking a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties completely. He has attributed their disconnection to her liberal education in Los Angeles, suggesting that this estrangement has fueled his recent anti-woke rhetoric.
Once known for centrist political views, Musk has increasingly inclined towards right-wing positions, addressing issues such as diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential campaign led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for traditional energy policies.