Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he discussed his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. Musk claimed that the gender-affirming care Wilson received resulted in her being “killed” and expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and shared that Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He described being misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s care, expressing that he felt confused and concerned about her well-being at the time, with fears that she might attempt suicide.
In his remarks, Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors who are not yet of consent age, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that those promoting such procedures are engaging in “incredibly evil” actions. He also claimed ignorance regarding the implications of puberty blockers, stating that he was not informed they function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers do not impact fertility on their own.
Musk expressed regret about what he perceives as losing his son due to the transition, referring to the term “deadnaming” and lamenting that it signifies a profound loss. His comments arrived shortly after Musk announced that companies like X, SpaceX, and Tesla would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, legislation that prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and calls for state resources to support LGBTQ+ youth.
Throughout his career, Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages. In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate and stated in court documents that she no longer wished to be connected to Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that this strained relationship has fueled his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk’s political views have shifted in recent years from center-left to increasingly right-wing positions, touching on topics such as diversity initiatives and election integrity. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.