In a recent interview with conservative commentator Dr. Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stirred controversy by alleging he was “tricked” into supporting his estranged transgender daughter’s gender-affirming care. Elon Musk, who described himself as having been deceived into signing documents for his daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson’s transition, condemned the procedures as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk’s comments, made amid his ongoing criticism of what he calls the “woke mind virus,” reflect his intensified conservative stance since acquiring Twitter in 2022. He claimed that the confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about his daughter’s mental health led him to approve the care without fully understanding its implications. He expressed feeling as though he had “lost” his son, stating, “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead,” while referring to Wilson by her previous name.
Wilson, who legally changed her name and gender at 18 in June 2022, has distanced herself from Musk. In a petition filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court in April 2022, she cited her gender identity and a strained relationship with her father as reasons for her name change. She has stated that she no longer wishes to be connected to Musk in any way.
Musk’s remarks come as part of his broader critique of progressive cultural movements, which he views as threats to modern civilization. His statements have reignited debates on gender identity and parental involvement in such decisions, highlighting the growing polarization around these issues in public discourse.
