Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This led Musk to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk expressed regret over signing documents for his daughter, indicating that he felt “tricked” at the time due to misinformation and the chaotic environment of the pandemic, which left him concerned for her mental health.
He criticized procedures involving minors, asserting that they are subjected to irreversible decisions before reaching the age of consent. Musk agreed with Peterson’s condemnation of the practice, asserting that those who promote such medical interventions should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the concept of “deadnaming,” which he believes reflects a loss of connection to his child.
These remarks from Musk come shortly after his announcement that X and SpaceX will join Tesla in relocating to Texas, following the state’s SAFETY Act, which limits parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
His daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating a desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive education she received in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk.
Once noted for his center-left political stance, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their support of traditional energy industries.