In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that her receiving gender-affirming care equated to her being “killed.” Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus” in response.
During the conversation that aired on Monday, Musk condemned gender-reassignment surgeries, labeling them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, who came out as transgender at age 16, received gender-affirming treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Musk recounted feeling “tricked” into supporting the transition, stating that he signed documents without fully understanding the implications. Musk suggested that at the time, he was led to believe his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk shared that he believes medical interventions are being conducted on children who are not of the legal age to consent. Aligning with Peterson, he described the practices as “incredibly evil” and advocated for imprisonment for those who promote them. He emphasized that he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although medical guidance clarifies that puberty blockers do not directly lead to infertility.
He lamented the loss of his son and expressed grief over what he described as “deadnaming,” a term used within the transgender community. Musk’s remarks come shortly after his announcement about moving X and SpaceX operations to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation, which deals with the rights of transgender children in schools and the support for LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and stated in court documents that she wished to sever ties with Musk completely. He has suggested in the past that their strained relationship is a result of her progressive education background. His stance echoes a broader shift in his political views, as Musk, who once identified as center-left, has increasingly embraced right-wing ideologies, particularly in his critiques of diversity initiatives and immigration policy. Recently, he endorsed the Republican party’s presidential candidates, including former president Donald Trump.