Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.” Mus announced these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. Musk, who heads several companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, transitioned during the pandemic at the age of 16.
Musk expressed that he felt misled into signing documents related to his daughter’s care during a tumultuous time marked by the pandemic, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He emphasized that he was made to believe that his child was at risk of suicide, leading to his support for the treatment.
He asserted that such medical procedures are performed on minors who cannot give informed consent and echoed Peterson’s assertion that it is an “incredibly evil” practice, suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of twelve, lamented that he was never informed that puberty blockers serve as “sterilization drugs,” although on their own, these blockers do not affect fertility.
Musk remarked, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” highlighting the term “deadnaming,” which signifies the grief of losing a child to this process.
His comments followed a recent announcement that X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas, aligning with his criticism of California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to support LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of promoting transphobia and anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing her desire to sever ties with her biological father completely. Musk attributes their strained relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests this dynamic influences Musk’s anti-woke rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk, who was once considered center-left, has increasingly embraced right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he voiced his support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both supporters of the fossil fuel industry and critics of clean energy efforts.