Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to express his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.” Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” emphasizing his belief that such procedures are conducted on children who cannot legally give consent. He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and received care during the pandemic.
Musk recounted feeling misled when he signed documents for his daughter, stating that he was informed she might be at risk of suicide. He asserted that he has not been adequately informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite the fact that these blockers do not directly impact fertility.
He lamented the loss of his relationship with his child, suggesting that the term “deadnaming” underscores a deep personal loss. Musk’s remarks follow his announcement that X and SpaceX will relocate to Texas in response to California legislation, known as AB1955, which restricts parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools and aims to offer support for LGBTQ+ children.
Musk’s daughter filed for a name change in 2022, expressing a desire to dissociate from her biological father. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to the influence of her progressive school. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from centrist views to adopting right-leaning perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration, and he recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.