Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was essentially “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, leading him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.” His comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic after coming out as transgender at age 16. He expressed regret over having signed documents related to this process, asserting that he acted without fully understanding the situation, especially amid the chaos of COVID-19.
He claimed he was influenced by concerns for Wilson’s mental health, suggesting that he had been misled regarding the implications of puberty blockers, which he incorrectly characterized as sterilization drugs. Musk shared that he feels he has lost his son, remarking on the concept of “deadnaming,” which refers to calling a transgender person by their birth name.
These remarks follow Musk’s announcement that companies like X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas, a decision influenced by California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from imposing rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender while also mandating support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought to change her name and birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles. His strained relationship with Wilson has been suggested as a factor driving his current political views.
Over recent years, Musk, previously associated with center-left politics, has adopted more right-wing stances, including on issues like diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Most recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.