Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic when she came out as transgender at the age of 16. He revealed that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his child, who no longer bears his last name, and mentioned the pressures surrounding mental health concerns at the time.
He criticized the process of providing gender-affirming care to minors, stating that it is an unethical practice and aligns with Peterson’s views that those supporting it should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not impact fertility on their own.
Musk declared, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” arguing that the term “deadnaming” indicates a permanent loss. His comments surfaced shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including Tesla and X, to relocate to Texas, in response to California legislation aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has previously attributed their strained relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, which is noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him.
As Musk increasingly aligns with right-wing ideologies, he has shifted away from his previous center-left political stance, voicing support for various conservative themes, including those related to the oil industry and immigration policies. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.