Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his profound concerns regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter was “killed” due to the gender-affirming care she received, which led him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled when he signed documents for her care, particularly as he was not fully informed about the situation at the time and was concerned for her mental health amid the COVID-19 chaos.
During the interview, Musk highlighted that procedures affecting minors, whom he argued are below the age of consent, should be considered “incredibly evil,” and he believes those promoting them deserve imprisonment. He also claimed that he was not made aware that puberty blockers serve as sterilization drugs, a statement that lacks consensus among medical professionals.
Musk lamented the loss of his son, stating, “They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.” His comments come shortly after announcing plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas due to California’s SAFETY Act, which prevents schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, and according to biographer Walter Isaacson, this estrangement has influenced Musk’s anti-woke sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted politically from his previous center-left views toward more right-wing positions, engaging with topics such as diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, supporting former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both critical of clean energy initiatives.