Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his intent to combat what he described as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed regret over what he described as being misled into signing documents related to his child’s transition, indicating he was concerned about her mental health and potential suicidal tendencies at the time.
The CEO criticized the practices surrounding gender-affirming care for minors, aligning with Peterson’s assertion that such actions are “incredibly evil.” Musk claimed he was uninformed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he equated with sterilization drugs, despite medical guidance indicating that puberty blockers do not sterilize individuals.
Musk claimed the terminology of “deadnaming” reflects a loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and elaborated on the emotional toll of his daughter’s transition. His remarks follow the recent announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, partially in response to California legislation that prevents schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a legal name change and requested a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes the strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive education, suggesting her estrangement contributes to his anti-woke views.
In recent times, Musk has shifted his political stance, moving from center-left to endorsing right-wing ideologies, including backing the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for traditional energy policies and oppose clean energy initiatives.