Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson that he feels his transgender daughter has been “killed” after she received gender-affirming care. Musk expressed his intent to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
During the discussion, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” mentioning that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming procedures during the pandemic. He claimed that he was misled into signing documents regarding the care, stating that he was concerned for her well-being amid the confusion of COVID-19.
Musk emphasized his belief that such medical processes are applied to children who are below the age of consent and described them as “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who endorse such practices should face imprisonment. Moreover, he claimed that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although these medications on their own do not directly affect fertility.
He lamented the loss of his son, asserting that the term “deadnaming” reflects the reality of his grieving process. Musk’s remarks come in the wake of his announcement that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, citing California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from enforcing parental notification when a child identifies as transgender.
Musk has faced criticism for his comments regarding transgender issues, as his daughter sought a name change in 2022, indicating that she no longer wishes to be connected to him. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he attributes the distance in their relationship to the progressive environment of her school in Los Angeles.
In recent years, Musk, once characterized by centrist views, has increasingly adopted right-wing positions on various issues, including criticism of diversity initiatives and immigration policies. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump.