Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to express his determination to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk recounted feeling misled when he signed documents concerning his daughter, saying, “This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on.” He emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was alarmed by warnings that his child might be at risk of suicide.
He criticized the medical process, arguing it is applied to children “who are far below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates for such procedures should face imprisonment. Though he has 12 children and often discusses issues related to fertility and underpopulation, Musk contended that he was never informed that puberty blockers could be considered as “sterilization drugs,” despite the fact that the blockers themselves do not directly impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk said, lamenting the loss of his son in light of his daughter’s transition. He explained that the term “deadnaming” reflects the emotional loss he feels, as it signifies that his son is, figuratively, no longer alive.
Musk’s comments follow his recent announcement that X, SpaceX, and Tesla will relocate to Texas, motivated by California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates the provision of resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has been accused previously of promoting anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a legal name change and new birth certificate, stating in court filings her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, a dynamic noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the entrepreneur. Isaacson suggested that Musk’s relationship with Wilson is a significant factor in his anti-woke rhetoric.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political views, increasingly adopting right-wing stances on various issues including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are vocal supporters of fossil fuel industries and are critical of clean energy initiatives.