Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter during a recent interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This led him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In the interview, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16. Musk expressed regret about being “tricked” into signing documents for her transition, suggesting he acted out of concern for her mental health amid COVID-related confusion.
Musk criticized the practice of administering such procedures to minors who are below the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and implying that anyone supporting it should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could be viewed as sterilization drugs, although it is noted that blockers alone do not permanently affect fertility.
Musk lamented, “I lost my son, essentially,” and explained that the term “deadnaming” reflects the perceived loss of his child’s previous identity.
This interview follows Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification about transgender identities in schools and seeks to provide support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In a significant move in 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, asserting in court that she wishes to sever all ties with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive environment of her school in Los Angeles, and biographer Walter Isaacson suggested that this estrangement has influenced Musk’s anti-woke rhetoric.
Musk’s political views have shifted rightward in recent years, as he has adopted conservative stances on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket, endorsing former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom champion the oil industry and oppose clean energy solutions.