Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, prompting him to express his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson broadcast on Monday, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as trans at the age of 16 after receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk stated, referring to Wilson, who has chosen to no longer use her father’s last name. He expressed that he was misled during a confusing time exacerbated by COVID-19, when he was told that his child faced suicide risks.
Musk further criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming procedures to minors, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that promoting such care is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers were akin to “sterilization drugs,” although it is known that puberty blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented. “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 remarks by Musk come shortly after he revealed plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, following California’s AB 1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating that parents be informed if their child identifies as transgender and requires the State Department to offer resources to 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 that she wishes to sever all ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting that this estrangement has influenced his “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over the years, Musk has shifted from center-left political views to increasingly adopt right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.