Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements regarding his transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, pledging to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter came out as transgender at age 16 and received treatment during the pandemic. He expressed regret over signing documents related to her care without fully understanding their implications, attributing this to the confusion during the COVID-19 crisis, and mentioned concerns about her mental health.
He argued that such procedures are administered to minors who are below the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that promoting these treatments is “incredibly evil,” and suggested that individuals backing these practices should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, though it is noted that these blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
Further, Musk expressed feelings of loss regarding his daughter’s transition, stating, “They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason,” implying the deep emotional impact of her name change.
His remarks come shortly after announcing plans for his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas, citing California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits school policies requiring parental notification if a student identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk’s public statements have drawn accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
Wilson applied for a name change in 2022, indicating in court documents her desire to sever ties with her father entirely. Musk, who has 12 children, has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that their strained relationship contributes to his anti-woke rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left views to adopt more right-wing positions, criticizing diversity efforts and endorsing figures like Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who advocate for traditional energy sources and oppose clean energy initiatives.