Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparked controversy during a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he discussed his estranged transgender daughter, expressing his belief that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. Musk stated he was compelled to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
He characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received care during the pandemic. Musk recalled being misled into signing documents for Wilson and claimed that he was informed this decision was critical due to concerns over her mental health.
Musk expressed strong disapproval of procedures for minors below the age of consent, aligning with Peterson in labeling such practices as “incredibly evil,” and suggesting imprisonment for those who promote them. He remarked that he was never informed that puberty blockers could function as sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented. He referred to the term “deadnaming,” asserting that it symbolizes the loss of his son.
His comments come shortly after announcing that X, SpaceX, and Tesla would relocate to Texas, citing California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from enforcing policies that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has been accused in the past of promoting anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, declaring in court that she did not wish to be associated with Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes the estrangement to the progressive environment of Wilson’s Los Angeles school, suggesting this relationship has influenced his anti-woke rhetoric.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left to aligning himself with right-wing ideologies, voicing support for the Republican party’s presidential candidates, including former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their opposition to clean energy measures.