Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his feelings about his transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” following her receipt of gender-affirming care, which prompted him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” recounting that Wilson, who was 16 at the time, came out as transgender during the pandemic. He mentioned that he felt misled into signing documents concerning her treatment due to the emotional turmoil of the COVID-19 crisis, which raised concerns about her mental health.
The CEO went on to criticize the administration of medical procedures to minors, agreeing with Peterson that it’s “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates for such practices should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, argued that he was not adequately informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he wrongly characterized as sterilization drugs, despite them not directly affecting fertility.
In his remarks, Musk expressed sorrow over what he termed the loss of his son, emphasizing the painful nature of “deadnaming,” a term used when referring to a transgender person by their birth name. His comments come in the wake of his announcement that various companies under his leadership, including X and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, citing concerns over California’s AB1955 legislation, which limits parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools.
Wilson legally changed her name in 2022, stating in court documents that she does not wish to be associated with her father. Musk has attributed his strained relationship with her to her liberal education background. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political views to embrace more right-wing perspectives, particularly regarding issues like diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom oppose clean energy initiatives.