Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk recently expressed strong views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk controversially claimed that gender-affirming care led to what he described as the “death” of his daughter, stating his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In the discussion, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recalled that Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic. During this time, Musk indicated that he felt misled into signing documents regarding his child’s care. He explained that he was told his child might be at risk of suicide, which influenced his decisions.
Musk articulated a belief that such procedures are administered to minors who cannot legally provide consent, aligning with Peterson’s claim that promoting these actions is “incredibly evil.” He stated that he was unaware that puberty blockers might be considered sterilization drugs, although he noted that these blockers alone do not directly affect fertility.
In the interview, Musk conveyed deep personal loss, asserting, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticizing the term “deadnaming” used in transgender discussions. He linked his public comments to his business decisions, noting that he would relocate his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas due to California legislation that restricts parental notification regarding transgender-identifying children.
Musk’s daughter has distanced herself from him, seeking a name change and a new birth certificate in court documents last year, expressing a desire to no longer be associated with him. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive schooling and has suggested that her relationship with him has influenced his radical views on related issues.
In recent years, Musk’s political stance has shifted towards the right, embracing conservative rhetoric on topics ranging from diversity to immigration policies. Notably, he recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.