Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his determination to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the interview, Musk stated he felt misled when he signed documents regarding Wilson’s care, claiming that he was not fully informed and was told that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk argued that such medical procedures are performed on children who are not of legal consent age and expressed agreement with Peterson, stating that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and that advocates should face imprisonment. He also mentioned that he was never made aware that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not sterilize.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, adding, “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to offer resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk’s previous remarks have drawn accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she no longer wished to be associated with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk has attributed his strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive school in Los Angeles, linking it to his broader “anti-woke” views.
Over recent years, Musk, who once held center-left political views, has increasingly aligned with right-wing rhetoric, particularly on issues such as diversity policies, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, both known for their support of fossil fuels and opposition to clean energy initiatives.