Tesla CEO Elon Musk has publicly stated that his estranged transgender daughter “was killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to vow to “destroy the woke mind virus.” In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk recounted that he was misled into signing documents for Wilson, who has since dropped his last name. Given the confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic, Musk believed his child might commit suicide if the care was not provided. Musk, echoing Peterson’s sentiments, claimed that such care is performed on children “far below the age of consent” and labeled it as “incredibly evil,” suggesting imprisonment for those who promote it. Emphasizing his point, Musk argued that puberty blockers are essentially “sterilization drugs,” although these drugs alone do not affect fertility.
Expressing regret, Musk said he felt tricked and stated, “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason—the reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments come a week after Musk announced that his companies X and SpaceX would join Tesla in moving to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which bans schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she no longer wishes to “be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.” According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk blames his lack of relationship with his daughter on her progressive Los Angeles school, which Isaacson portrays as a catalyst for Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, once known for center-left political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing stances on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and opponents of clean energy.