In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made contentious remarks about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” by receiving gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus” and criticized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
During the interview, Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, discussed the details surrounding his daughter’s transition, which began when she was 16. He stated that he felt deceived into signing documents regarding her care amidst pandemic-related confusion and worries about her mental health.
Musk expressed strong opposition to the practice of providing gender-affirming care to children, particularly those below the age of consent, and echoed Peterson’s sentiments about its moral implications. He also claimed that he had not been adequately informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he mistakenly categorized as sterilization drugs, despite their intended purpose not directly affecting fertility.
He lamented the loss of his son, using the term “deadnaming” to describe the change in his daughter’s identity. In recent developments, Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, a law prohibiting schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandating state resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Musk’s relationship with Wilson has been strained; in 2022, she applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she does not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk has suggested that her progressive education is a factor in their estrangement, a theme explored in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. Over the last few years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to adopt more right-wing views, particularly in areas related to diversity, elections, and climate policy. Recently, he endorsed a presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of traditional energy sources.