Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his beliefs about transgender care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which he deems as a catalyst for a cultural issue he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment procedures, labeling them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic. He indicated that he felt misled into consenting to medical decisions, suggesting there was pressure to act quickly due to concerns about her mental health during a tumultuous time.
He argued that such medical decisions are made for children who cannot legally give consent and echoed Peterson’s view that promoting these procedures is “incredibly evil.” Musk also claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers are, in his opinion, akin to sterilization drugs, even though medical experts note that puberty blockers themselves do not directly affect fertility.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” highlighting his pain over the estrangement and the concept of “deadnaming” that accompanies transitioning.
His remarks come shortly after he declared that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California legislation that governs parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, his daughter sought a legal name change to dissociate from him completely, stating she no longer wishes to be linked to her biological father. Musk has attributed their fractured relationship to her liberal schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting that it has fueled his “anti-woke” views. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left political positions to adopting more right-wing rhetoric, particularly on issues like diversity initiatives and election integrity. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.