Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. This statement was made during a recent interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, where Musk expressed his commitment to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who publicly identified as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
In the interview, Musk suggested he was misled into consenting to medical decisions regarding his child. He claimed that he initially signed documents based on pressure, as he was informed that his child might be at risk of suicide. He expressed that he was unaware of the implications of puberty blockers, which he claimed to be sterilization drugs.
Musk described his feelings of loss regarding his son’s identity, referring to the phenomenon of “deadnaming.” He emphasized the seriousness of his concerns, aligning with Peterson’s viewpoint that promoting such medical practices should be considered morally reprehensible.
His statements arise in the context of a significant business decision, as Musk recently announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California legislation that affects parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools. Musk has faced criticism in the past for perceived anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, his daughter sought to change her name and birth certificate, stating that she wished to sever ties with Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk blames their estrangement on Wilson’s progressive educational environment and has linked this personal situation to his broader anti-woke stance.
Musk’s political views have notably shifted in recent years, moving from a center-left perspective to embracing right-wing ideologies, particularly on issues such as diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, both of whom have pro-oil industry positions and resist clean energy initiatives.