Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, attributing her challenges to the effects of gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk declared that he intended to combat what he called the “woke mind virus” following his daughter’s transition.
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition amid the pandemic when she was just 16 years old. He claimed that he felt misled into consenting to her treatment during a time of uncertainty caused by COVID-19, fearing for her safety.
The CEO expressed regret over his decision, stating, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the term “deadnaming,” which he believes conveys the emotional toll of transition. Musk further criticized the approach to transgender care for minors, suggesting it is harmful and asserting that only those promoting such practices should face legal consequences.
Musk’s comments follow his decision to relocate several of his companies to Texas, in response to California’s AB1955, the SAFETY Act, which limits how schools must notify parents about students identifying as transgender. Over the years, Musk has faced accusations of promoting transphobia and adopting anti-trans ideologies.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and indicated in court documents her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive environment at her school, a point noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the entrepreneur. Over time, Musk has shifted from center-left views to embrace more right-wing positions, particularly in relation to energy policies and other social issues.