Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his controversial views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, in an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. During the discussion, Musk claimed that his daughter was “killed” by the gender-affirming care she received, prompting him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk, who is also the head of multiple companies including X, described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk stated that he felt “tricked” into signing documents related to his daughter’s transition, mentioning that it happened amid the confusion of COVID-19, and that he was led to believe she might contemplate suicide if he didn’t comply.
He criticized the practice, asserting that it is done to children who are younger than the age of consent, and echoed Peterson’s sentiments that those who promote such medical procedures should face imprisonment. Musk, who has twelve children, also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers are essentially sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly affect fertility.
Musk expressed his feelings of loss regarding his relationship with Wilson, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticized the concept of “deadnaming,” suggesting that it signifies the death of his relationship with his child.
This interview comes shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from enforcing rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender, and mandates the State Department to offer support resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
Wilson legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate in 2022, stating in court documents that she no longer wishes to be associated with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he attributes the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, claiming it has influenced her distancing from him.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance toward more right-wing positions on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Earlier this month, he voiced his support for the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who advocate for fossil fuels and oppose clean energy initiatives.