Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care and vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk shared that Wilson, who has distanced herself from her father’s last name, began identifying as trans at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He expressed regret, stating he felt “tricked” into signing documents regarding her care, especially during a confusing time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned concerns that his child might commit suicide, which led him to take action without fully understanding the implications.
During the interview, Musk criticized the medical process as being detrimental to children who are below the age of consent. He expressed agreement with Peterson, calling the promotion of gender-affirming care “incredibly evil” and suggested that those promoting it should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed that he was misinformed about the effects of puberty blockers, asserting that he was not told they are effectively sterilization drugs, although it should be noted that puberty blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
Musk’s comments come shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation, which limits school policies around parental notifications regarding transgender identification and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter filed for a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her upbringing at a progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting it has influenced her views. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from a center-left political stance to embracing more right-wing viewpoints, especially on topics such as diversity initiatives and immigration. He recently endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket.