Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, vowing to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed regret over signing documents concerning his daughter, saying he felt deceived amid confusion during the COVID pandemic. He mentioned that he was told Wilson could be at risk of suicide, which influenced his decisions. He criticized the medical practices surrounding children who are not of consenting age, agreeing with Peterson that promoting such procedures is “incredibly evil” and should lead to imprisonment. Musk suggested he was unaware that puberty blockers were similar to sterilization drugs, despite being informed of their use.
Musk stated, “I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the term “deadnaming,” which he claims signifies the loss of his son.
His comments came shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, legislation that imposes certain restrictions regarding parental notification for transgender identifying children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and sought to sever her legal ties to Musk, expressing her desire to no longer be associated with him. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, which he believes has influenced her views.
Musk’s political stance has shifted from center-left to increasingly right-wing in recent years, as he has embraced various conservative issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known supporters of the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.