Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, stating his intention to combat 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,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at 16.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk stated, referring to Wilson, who has distanced herself from his surname. He claimed that at the time, he lacked a clear understanding of the situation, due in part to the confusion of the COVID pandemic, and that there were concerns for her safety which influenced his decision.
Musk expressed his belief that such procedures are administered to children who are under the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and advocating that those promoting it should be imprisoned. He also asserted that he was never educated about puberty blockers, which he mistakenly described as “sterilization drugs.” It is important to note that puberty blockers, when used alone, do not directly impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk 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 follow a recent announcement that X and SpaceX, like Tesla, will be relocating to Texas, in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from forcing parental notifications when a child identifies as transgender and facilitates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting transphobia and anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk attributed their strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, a point highlighted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This estrangement was suggested to contribute to Musk’s anti-woke sentiments.
Historically seen as center-left, Musk has shifted towards right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, electoral fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.