Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care, leading him to promise to combat what he terms the “woke mind virus.” Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired Monday.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” expressing his belief that the process is being conducted on children who are below the age of consent. He discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk stated that he felt misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s care and feared for her mental health, as he was told she might be at risk of suicide.
He emphasized his disapproval of the use of puberty blockers, which he claims were not properly explained to him, labeling them as “sterilization drugs.” Musk expressed his feelings of loss regarding his relationship with Wilson, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and highlighted the reason the term “deadnaming” exists.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX will relocate to Texas, following California’s AB1955 legislation, which prohibits schools from requiring parental notifications if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans messages and transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate in court, expressing her desire to no longer be associated with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to his daughter’s progressive schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting that it has influenced his anti-woke sentiments.
Over the past few years, Musk’s political stance has shifted from center-left to align more closely with right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are advocates for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.