Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed concerning views regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. He vowed to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Musk mentioned feeling “tricked” into consenting to treatments for Wilson, stating that there was confusion surrounding the situation at that time.
He claimed that children undergoing these procedures are “far below the age of consent” and agreed with Peterson’s assertion that promoting such care is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that advocates should face imprisonment. Musk also indicated that he was not properly informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, a claim that lacks medical consensus, as puberty blockers do not directly impact fertility on their own.
In his comments, Musk expressed deep remorse over losing his son, emphasizing that the term “deadnaming” reflects a profound loss. This discussion surfaced shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates support resources from the State Department for LGBTQ+ youth.
Wilson legally changed her name and requested a new birth certificate in 2022, expressing a desire to no longer be connected to her father. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, which he believes has influenced her views. His strained connection with Wilson has been cited as a factor behind his emerging “anti-woke” rhetoric.
Additionally, Musk, who has shifted from his previously center-left political stances, has embraced right-wing talking points on various issues including diversity, election fraud, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are affiliated with the oil sector and oppose clean energy initiatives.