Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial claims regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, stating she was “killed” by gender-affirming care. He expressed his intentions to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” asserting that his daughter received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic at the age of 16.
Musk revealed that he felt he was misled into consenting to medical procedures for Wilson, saying, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents.” He expressed regret over his decision, stating he was informed that not taking action could potentially lead to his child’s suicide, which contributed to his confusion during the COVID crisis.
Musk criticized the practice of providing medical care to children before reaching the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that proponents of such care should face imprisonment. Despite having 12 children, Musk claimed he was not adequately informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which do not affect fertility on their own.
He expressed deep sorrow over his estranged relationship with Wilson, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticized the term “deadnaming” as reflective of his loss. Musk’s remarks follow his announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s SAFETY Act, which limits parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity and mandates support for LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with Musk entirely. His estrangement from her has been linked to his evolving political stance, which has shifted toward right-wing rhetoric in recent years, especially on issues related to social policies and climate change.