Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter was “killed” by gender-affirming care and stated his intention to combat what he describes as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that Wilson, who is now 16, came out as trans during the pandemic and underwent gender-affirming care. He expressed regret over signing documents related to her transition, suggesting he was coerced by fears of her potential suicide.
The billionaire described the gender-affirming process as inappropriate for minors, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that it is “incredibly evil” and should be punishable by imprisonment. He claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, although such medications do not inherently affect fertility.
In his statements, Musk expressed feelings of loss regarding his child, stating that the term “deadnaming” reflects a profound sense of mourning for him. His remarks came shortly after he announced a move of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas, a decision linked to California’s SAFETY Act, which limits parental notification related to a child’s transgender identity.
Musk’s estranged relationship with Wilson has been cited in discussions about his recent shift toward right-wing ideologies. Wilson has publicly distanced herself from Musk, applying for a name change in 2022 to sever ties entirely. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her education in a progressive school in Los Angeles.
In recent years, Musk’s political views have shifted rightward, culminating in his endorsement of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their opposition to clean energy initiatives.