Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, stating that she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. He expressed his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” highlighting that Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He claimed he was deceived into signing documents related to her transition, as he believed she faced a potential suicide risk during that tumultuous time. He emphasized that these medical interventions affect children who are not of an age to consent and concurred with Peterson that promoting such procedures is “incredibly evil” and deserving of imprisonment.
He explained that he was unaware that puberty blockers could be seen as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not inherently affect fertility. Musk remarked, “I was tricked into doing this,” and described losing his son, associating “deadnaming” with the loss of his child’s identity.
These comments emerged shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced criticism for alleged transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating in court documents her desire to no longer be associated with Musk. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting it is linked to his anti-woke attitudes.
Historically a center-left figure, Musk has shifted toward right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.