Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his feelings about his estranged transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This revelation sparked his commitment to combat what he calls the “woke mind virus.”
During the broadcast, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned when she was 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk mentioned that he felt misled into signing documents concerning Wilson, who has since chosen not to carry his last name. He described the situation as confusing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and worries about his child’s mental health.
Musk criticized procedures performed on minors, stating he agrees with Peterson’s view that such practices are “incredibly evil” and suggested that anyone advocating for them should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could be classified as sterilization drugs, despite evidence indicating that these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Feeling a deep sense of loss, Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the phenomenon of ‘deadnaming,’ which he claims signifies a loss of his child.
These comments came shortly after Musk announced that his companies, X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas amid opposition to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and directs the State Department to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, stating in court documents her desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has previously attributed the strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive schooling in Los Angeles, which he believes has influenced her views and contributed to his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, who has shifted towards right-wing perspectives in recent years, has voiced support for various conservative causes, including endorsing former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their stances favoring the oil industry and opposing clean energy initiatives.