Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently spoke about his estranged transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he claimed that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus” in response to his statements.
During the interview, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at age 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk expressed regret, saying he felt he was “tricked” into supporting the medical decisions and mentioned concerns about Wilson’s mental health at that time, which contributed to his support for her transition.
Musk criticized the treatment of children who are not of legal consent age, stating that he and Peterson agree it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who promote such care should face imprisonment. He claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although it is noted that puberty blockers do not affect fertility on their own.
He expressed a deep sense of loss regarding his relationship with his daughter, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and elaborated on the concept of “deadnaming” as a reason for this loss.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging throughout the years.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court that she did not want to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influences of her progressive school in Los Angeles. His relationship with Wilson is said to have influenced his current political views, which have shifted towards right-wing ideologies, accompanying his criticism of various social and political issues. Earlier this month, Musk endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their opposition to clean energy initiatives.