Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” as a result of receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed a determination to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and stated that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving care during the pandemic. He recounted feeling misled when he signed documents related to her transition, attributing his lack of understanding to the overwhelming circumstances created by COVID-19. Musk mentioned being told that his child might contemplate suicide if not supported in her identity.
During the interview, Musk criticized procedures involving children who are not of legal consent age, agreeing with Peterson that such actions are “incredibly evil,” and suggested that advocates for these practices should face imprisonment. With 12 children, Musk claimed he was not adequately informed that the puberty blockers prescribed were essentially sterilization drugs, although such drugs do not impact fertility directly.
Musk lamented the loss of his son, stating that terms like “deadnaming” underscore the grief of losing a child. His comments follow his recent announcement that companies he leads—including Tesla—would move to Texas in response to California legislation, the SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender.
Wilson, in 2022, sought a name change and a new birth certificate, articulating her desire to sever ties with Musk completely. He has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in a biography by Walter Isaacson. Musk’s shift toward right-wing perspectives is apparent in his recent endorsements and commentary on issues like diversity, electoral integrity, and immigration, marking a significant departure from his previously center-left stance.