Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that his estranged transgender daughter suffered a figurative “death” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to express his desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and spoke about his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 after undergoing gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referencing Wilson, who has since distanced herself from her father’s surname. He noted that this happened during a confusing time amid the COVID pandemic and that he had been told his child might attempt suicide.
Musk also expressed his belief that such medical procedures are performed on children too young to give consent, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and that those who support them should face imprisonment. Musk, who has twelve children, further claimed that he was never informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that these drugs do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” he 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.”
Musk’s comments followed the announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources to assist LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of promoting transphobic sentiments.
In 2022, his daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, declaring in court documents her desire to completely sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained relationship is suggested as a factor behind Musk’s shift towards “anti-woke” rhetoric.
Over the past few years, Musk has transitioned from his previously centrist political views to embrace more right-wing ideologies, touching on issues such as diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the fossil fuel industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.