Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, which prompted him to declare his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic and identified as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk expressed regret, implying he was misled into consenting to medical procedures for one of his children, referring to Wilson, who has since distanced herself from her father’s last name. He recounted that during a period of confusion exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, he was warned that his child might face suicidal thoughts.
He criticized the practice of providing medical procedures to minors “far below the age of consent,” echoing Peterson’s sentiment that such actions are “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who advocate for these treatments should face imprisonment. Musk contested that he was never adequately informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite their lack of direct impact on fertility.
Musk elaborated on his feelings about “deadnaming,” stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotional gravity behind the term. His statements surfaced shortly after he announced that his companies, including X, SpaceX, and Tesla, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification regarding their child’s identification as transgender and mandates state resources for supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
Musk’s daughter applied for a name change in 2022, indicating in court filings her desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive education, as cited in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests that the estrangement may influence Musk’s anti-woke ideologies.
Over the years, Musk, who once held center-left views, has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on various issues including diversity, electoral integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.