Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his belief that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by the effects of gender-affirming medical care, prompting him to declare his intent 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 described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender 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,” he said, referring to Wilson, who has distanced herself from his surname. He noted that this took place during a confusing period, exacerbated by the pandemic, when he was led to believe that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of administering medical interventions to minors who may not yet be of legal consent age and expressed agreement with Peterson’s assertion that such actions are “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who endorse it should face imprisonment. Musk, who has 12 children, claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers function as “sterilization drugs,” although it is noted that puberty blockers alone do not render someone infertile.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk remarked. “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 shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, joining Tesla, in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates that the State Department provide resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, Wilson sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she wishes to sever ties with Musk completely. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting that his strained relationship with her has influenced his “anti-woke” views.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his earlier centrist political stance towards more right-wing positions, engaging in discussions concerning diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.