Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. He stated this during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, expressing his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and discussed his daughter’s transition, which she began at the age of 16 during the pandemic. He claimed he felt “tricked” into consenting to her care, stating that he was misled about the nature of medical interventions, particularly regarding puberty blockers, which he described as sterilization drugs despite their intended use.
He expressed deep regret over the situation, indicating he feels he has “lost” his son due to his daughter’s transition, and criticized the terminology surrounding gender identity, calling “deadnaming” an acknowledgment of his son’s death. Musk’s comments follow his recent decision to relocate several of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas in response to California’s legislation that affects transgender students and their families.
Musk’s relationship with his daughter has been strained, as she legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, stating in court that she does not wish to be associated with him. Despite previously holding more centrist views, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing positions on various social issues, including expressing support for the Republican Party and its key figures.