Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his deep disapproval of gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk controversially claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” as a result of this care, and he vowed to combat what he described as the “woke mind virus.”
During the interview, Musk, who oversees multiple companies, labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, started receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at age 16.
Musk recalled a moment of confusion and fear regarding his child’s mental health, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He went on to describe a sense of loss, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming” as indicative of this loss.
Musk further criticized the practice of administering puberty blockers to minors, aligning with Peterson’s claim that such actions are “incredibly evil.” He expressed concerns that he was misled about the nature of these treatments, asserting that he was unaware puberty blockers could act as sterilization drugs.
These remarks came shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas. This decision was influenced by California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender.
In previous years, Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric. His daughter applied for a name change in 2022, stating in court documents that she wished to sever all ties with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk contends that the progressive environment of his daughter’s school in Los Angeles has contributed to their estrangement.
Over the last few years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance toward more right-wing views, voicing support for the Republican party’s candidates, including former President Donald Trump.