Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made headlines by stating that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which he believes compels him to combat what he calls the “woke mind virus.”
These remarks came during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk, who manages multiple companies including X, labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk expressed that he felt “tricked” into signing documents for his daughter, claiming he was not fully aware of the situation at the time due to the confusion stemming from the COVID pandemic. He recalled being informed that his child might be at risk of suicide.
He voiced strong opposition to the care provided to minors, describing it as “incredibly evil” and aligned with Peterson’s views. Musk further emphasized that he was never informed that puberty blockers act as sterilization drugs, clarifying that these drugs alone do not impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk asserted. “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming” as a painful reminder that his child, as he knew them, is gone.
His comments come shortly after an announcement that his companies, including SpaceX and X, would relocate to Texas, prompted by California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from imposing rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
Musk’s daughter had sought a legal name change in 2022, stating in court that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. Musk attributes their strained relationship to the progressive educational environment in Los Angeles, suggesting that it has influenced Wilson’s distance from him, a dynamic that underscores his more recent “anti-woke” rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to aligning with right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration, and recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their support of the oil industry and skepticism towards clean energy initiatives.