Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed controversial views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. He claimed that the gender-affirming care she received had “killed” her, leading him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that he felt misled into signing necessary documents for his daughter’s transition when she was 16 amid the confusion of the pandemic. He mentioned concerns for her mental health, saying he was told she might consider suicide.
During the interview, Musk criticized the medical procedures performed on children who he believes are below the age of consent and stated his agreement with Peterson that promoting such treatments is “incredibly evil,” calling for imprisonment of those who support them. He also asserted that he was not properly informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, although such treatments do not directly affect fertility.
Musk lamented that he feels he lost his son, claiming that the term “deadnaming” reflects this loss. His comments followed a recent announcement that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she no longer wants to be associated with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk blames their strained relationship on Wilson’s progressive school environment, suggesting that this contributes to his “anti-woke” views.
Musk’s shift toward right-wing rhetoric marks a notable departure from his previous center-left political stance, as he increasingly adopts conservative positions on various issues, including support for the Republican party’s presidential candidates.