Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. This prompted him to express his desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. Musk stated that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his daughter, claiming he was unaware of the implications at the time due to the chaotic environment of COVID-19.
Musk criticized the procedures affecting children before they reach the age of consent and aligned himself with Peterson in labeling such practices as “incredibly evil.” He further asserted that advocating for these treatments should lead to imprisonment. He expressed that he was not adequately informed about puberty blockers and their potential to affect fertility, despite current understanding indicating that they do not directly impact fertility.
He lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming,” which he stated signifies that his son no longer exists.
These comments followed Musk’s announcement of relocating his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas due to California’s AB1955 law, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from establishing policies that require parents to be informed if their child identifies as transgender, and mandates the State Department to provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating a desire to sever all ties with him. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes their estrangement to the progressive education she received in Los Angeles and suggests that this relationship issue informs his outspoken stance against “woke” ideologies.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to align more closely with right-wing perspectives, addressing topics such as diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of fossil fuel industries and opposition to clean energy initiatives.