In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. Musk suggested that his daughter was “killed” by the gender-affirming care she received, which prompted him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that when Wilson, who is now 16, came out as transgender during the pandemic, he felt pressured to support her decision due to concerns for her mental health and the emotional turmoil surrounding COVID-19.
He expressed regret over what he described as being “tricked” into allowing the medical procedures, claiming he was unaware of the implications at the time. Musk asserted that the procedures are administered to children who cannot legally give consent, aligning with Peterson’s views that such actions are morally wrong and should be punishable by prison time.
Musk, a father of 12, claimed that he was never informed that puberty blockers could serve as sterilization drugs. He emphasized how significant the emotional impact has been on him, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referred to the term “deadnaming” to articulate his grief over the loss of his relationship with Wilson.
His comments coincided with his announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, citing discontent with California’s SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from implementing policies that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender, and it mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and anti-trans sentiment in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, asserting she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, a situation that has contributed to his increasingly right-leaning views on various social issues. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.