Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed strong criticism regarding gender-affirming care for transgender youth during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He referred to his estranged transgender daughter as having been “killed” by such medical interventions and declared his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk’s remarks came after he discussed his daughter’s transition, stating that she received gender-affirming care during the pandemic, which he believes contributed to her decision to identify as transgender at the age of 16. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and mentioned that he felt misled into signing documents regarding his daughter’s treatment.
According to Musk, he was told that his child might be at risk of committing suicide if he did not agree to the care. He criticized the practice of providing such treatments to minors, claiming it was “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who promote it should face legal consequences.
Musk has previously indicated that he felt he was not fully informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he claimed were presented to him as something benign, when in reality he believes they act as sterilization drugs. In discussing his feelings towards his daughter, who has changed her name and distanced herself from him, Musk stated, “I lost my son, essentially.”
His comments come amid his announcement that companies X and SpaceX will be relocating to Texas, influenced by California legislation that regulates parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and anti-trans advocacy in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter petitioned for a name change, explicitly seeking to disconnect from her father’s identity. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes the estrangement to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, suggesting that this has shaped his negative sentiments towards so-called “woke” ideologies.
Musk’s political stance has shifted notably in recent years, moving from center-left views to embracing more conservative perspectives on issues such as diversity and immigration. He recently voiced support for a Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are aligned with fossil fuel interests and have expressed skepticism toward clean energy initiatives.