Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
The comments were aired on Monday, where Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recounted that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and that he felt misled when consenting to medical procedures related to her transition during the pandemic. Musk expressed regret over the situation, stating that he believed he was acting in his child’s best interest at the time, driven by concerns for her mental health amid confusion caused by COVID-19.
Musk asserted that such medical interventions are often imposed on children who are not of age to consent and echoed Peterson’s views on the topic, calling it “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates for these procedures should face imprisonment. He also expressed his surprise at not being informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, though medical experts note that puberty blockers do not on their own affect a person’s fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated, adding that he feels he lost his son to this process, referring specifically to the concept of “deadnaming,” which he claims signifies the loss of his son.
These comments from Musk follow his decision to relocate X and SpaceX to Texas, partially due to California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing in court that she wishes to sever ties with her father entirely. Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that this has fueled his own “anti-woke” sentiments.
In recent years, Musk, who once held moderate political views, has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing ideologies, voicing opinions on matters ranging from diversity initiatives to election integrity. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their pro-oil industry stances and opposition to clean energy initiatives.