Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming 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 criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He indicated that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He recounted feeling misled into approving medical documents for Wilson, who has since changed her name and distanced herself from him. Musk asserted that he was informed his daughter might be at risk of suicide, leading him to feel pressured to support her transition.
In his statements, Musk emphasized that such medical procedures are being performed on individuals who are below the age of consent and aligned with Peterson in calling the practice “incredibly evil,” suggesting that advocates for it should face imprisonment. He expressed regret over what he described as being “tricked” into supporting the transition, stating, “I lost my son, essentially.”
Musk’s comments occurred shortly after he announced that Tesla and his other companies would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955 legislation, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification for transgender-identifying children. Musk’s long-standing criticisms of LGBTQ+ policies have led to accusations of transphobia against him.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and requested a new birth certificate, stating that she wishes to sever all ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their estranged relationship to Wilson’s education in a progressive school in Los Angeles, arguing that this has influenced her views and his own resulting “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent times, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to embracing more right-wing ideologies, particularly concerning diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are advocates for traditional energy sources.