Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to express his desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk stated, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson, who has chosen to no longer use Musk’s last name. He elaborated that this occurred when he was not fully informed of the situation and was concerned about his child’s mental health.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming treatments to minors, stating that it should not be allowed for children who are “far below the age of consent,” and expressed agreement with Peterson’s viewpoint that it is “incredibly evil” and should lead to imprisonment for those advocating it. Musk, a father of 12, also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although the use of puberty blockers does not directly affect fertility.
Musk mentioned feeling deceived and expressed that he feels he has “lost” his son due to these changes, highlighting the significance of what he termed “deadnaming.”
His remarks came shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing policies requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates that resources be provided to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wished to sever all ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed his strained relationship with her to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained connection is said to influence Musk’s growing “anti-woke” sentiments.
Once known for his moderate political views, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric regarding various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and criticized for their opposition to clean energy.