Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his controversial views on gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” by the procedures she underwent, which led him to assert his commitment to “destroying the woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling “tricked” into signing documents regarding his child’s transition, alleging he was misinformed about the consequences of the medical interventions amid the confusion of COVID-19.
He emphasized that minors who are not of legal consent age undergo these processes, echoing Peterson’s viewpoint that such practices are “incredibly evil” and should lead to imprisonment for those who promote them. Musk also stated he was unaware that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, maintaining that he felt he had lost his son in this process.
Musk’s remarks come shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including X and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas, a move influenced by California’s AB1955 legislation, which protects transgender rights in schools and requires resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, indicating she wants to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the influence of her progressive school, suggesting that his estrangement from Wilson reflects the motivations behind his “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his earlier center-left political stance to embrace more right-wing perspectives, including support for the Republican party’s presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for traditional energy industries and express skepticism towards clean energy initiatives.