Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his controversial views regarding gender-affirming care for transgender individuals during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” by the care she received, and he declared his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” criticizing the processes involved in gender transition. He revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk stated that he felt “tricked” into supporting his child’s transition, unaware of the implications at the time.
He articulated that children undergoing this care are often “far below the age of consent” and echoed Peterson’s sentiments that such actions are “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers were “actually just sterilization drugs,” despite evidence that these blockers alone do not cause permanent infertility.
Musk lamented the estrangement from his daughter, referring to the concept of “deadnaming” and asserting that he has essentially lost his son. His remarks surfaced shortly after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s SAFETY Act, which mandates parental notification for transgender identification in schools and provides resources for LGBTQ+ children.
Wilson applied for a legal name change last year, stating her desire to completely dissociate from her biological father. Musk has attributed their fractured relationship to her progressive school environment, a view reflected in Walter Isaacson’s biography about him. This familial conflict has been linked to Musk’s growing anti-woke rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from a center-left political stance to embracing right-wing viewpoints, particularly concerning issues like diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential candidate lineup, which includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.