Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, and expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming care amid the pandemic. Reflecting on his involvement, Musk stated, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson, who has since changed her last name and wishes to sever ties with him.
Musk expressed concerns about medical procedures affecting minors and stated that he was misinformed regarding the nature of puberty blockers, describing them as “sterilization drugs.” He also emphasized the emotional toll of the situation, claiming, “I lost my son, essentially.”
These comments from Musk follow his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation, which restricts parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced multiple accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
Wilson legally changed her name and requested a new birth certificate in 2022, expressing a desire to disconnect from Musk entirely. He has attributed the strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting that his frustrations with this dynamic have fueled his “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to embrace more right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity and immigration. He has also recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.