Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, and he expressed a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with conservative psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk, who manages multiple companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned during the pandemic at age 16.
Musk admitted feeling misled when he consented to documents regarding Wilson’s care, citing the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over her mental health. He asserted that children who are below the age of consent are subjected to such processes, echoing Peterson’s sentiment that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and should lead to imprisonment. Musk also stated that he was not informed that puberty blockers could function as sterilization drugs, though they do not directly affect fertility.
Expressing deep sadness, Musk remarked, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” implying the emotional impact of what he describes as ‘deadnaming’—the term used when referring to someone by their previous name post-transition.
These statements from Musk emerged shortly after his companies X and SpaceX announced their relocation to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, legislation that restricts parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identification and requires state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In a 2022 court filing, his daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, expressing she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes their strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive education.
In recent years, Musk, who previously held center-left political views, has shifted towards right-wing perspectives on issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.