Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, prompting him to vow to “destroy the woke mind virus.” Musk’s comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which was aired on Monday. Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He noted that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed that he felt deceived into signing documents regarding his child’s care, stating that the situation became complicated amid the confusion of COVID-19. He claimed he was led to believe that his child might be suicidal. Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming treatments to minors, asserting that it’s “incredibly evil” and that promoters of such treatments should face imprisonment. He also mentioned that he was unaware that puberty blockers are “actually just sterilization drugs,” even though they do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk further lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming,” which he believes signifies the loss of his son. His remarks come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, a decision linked to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender.
Musk’s daughter applied for a name change in 2022, stating in court documents that she no longer wants to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influences of her progressive school in Los Angeles, a factor that biographer Walter Isaacson claims underpins Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously more centrist political stance to embrace right-wing perspectives across several issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom have ties to the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.