Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk recently stated that he feels he has “lost” his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, after she received gender-affirming care, and he pledged to “destroy the woke mind virus.” During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that he was misled into consenting to treatment for Wilson when she was 16, during the pandemic.
Musk expressed regret and frustration, claiming, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents.” He recalled that concerns regarding his child’s mental health, including fears of suicide, influenced his decision at the time. He contended that such procedures are performed on minors who are “far below the age of consent” and labeled the encouragement of these practices as “incredibly evil,” advocating for punishment for those who promote them.
He also claimed that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite current medical understanding indicating that they don’t impact fertility directly. Musk quoted the term “deadnaming” to emphasize the loss he feels regarding his son’s previous identity.
This discourse follows his announcement that X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, along with Tesla, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 legislation, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notifications about students identifying as transgender while also offering resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Wilson, in 2022, pursued legal changes to her name and birth certificate, seeking to sever ties with Musk entirely. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson suggested that Musk’s strained relationship with his daughter has fueled his outspoken anti-woke sentiments.
Once recognized for his moderate political views, Musk has shifted to promote right-wing perspectives, including criticism of diversity initiatives and support for former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.