Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he expressed controversial views about gender-affirming care. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by the care she received and vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” noting that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving care during the pandemic.
Musk mentioned that he felt deceived into approving documents regarding his child’s care, citing confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for her mental health. He claimed he was unaware of the implications of puberty blockers, which he argued should be considered sterilization drugs, despite their clinical use not directly affecting fertility.
During the discussion, Musk expressed his belief that procedures affecting children below the age of consent are “incredibly evil,” and suggested that individuals who advocate for such practices should face imprisonment. He characterized his daughter’s transition as a profound loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticized the term “deadnaming,” associating it with the death of his relationship with her.
These comments followed Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act. This legislation prevents schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, indicating her desire to sever ties with Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes his strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive education and has articulated anti-woke sentiments in recent years, diverging significantly from his previous centrist political stance. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket, aligning with figures who oppose clean energy initiatives.