Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This statement was made during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, where Musk expressed his intentions to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During the interview, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and discussed the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s transition, which began when she was 16. He mentioned feeling “tricked” into consenting to medical decisions regarding Wilson, particularly during the pandemic when confusion and concerns about her mental health were prevalent.
Musk criticized treatments administered to minors, stating that he found them to be “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who support such practices should be imprisoned. He also claimed to be unaware that puberty blockers, which he described as sterilization drugs, do not directly affect fertility.
He lamented that he felt he lost his son, as Wilson no longer uses his surname and referred to the concept of “deadnaming” as indicative of his loss.
Musk’s comments come amid his announcement that he would relocate his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas, partly in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which alters how schools are required to handle transgender identification. His daughter sought a name change and requested a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating she wishes to sever ties with her father.
Musk’s shift from center-left views to more right-wing perspectives has been noted in recent years, as he has embraced various conservative talking points, including those related to immigration and election integrity.