Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his anguish over his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that her transition was akin to her being “killed” after she received gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk pledged to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and started receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk remarked on a time when he felt misled into signing documents regarding his daughter, blaming COVID-related stress and confusion for his lack of clarity at the time.
He asserted that gender-affirming treatments are administered to children who are under the age of consent, echoing Peterson’s views that he considers this practice “incredibly evil.” Musk claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers are equivalent to “sterilization drugs,” and noted that he feels he has lost his son since his daughter transitioned, referring to the concept of “deadnaming.”
These comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced that his companies X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and directs the State Department to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Wilson requested a name change and new birth certificate, expressing that she does not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk attributes the rift in their relationship to her education at a progressive school in Los Angeles, a dynamic that has influenced his recent public stances against “woke” culture.
Musk, who previously held centrist views, has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric on issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support traditional energy policies.