Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This has prompted him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk articulated these views during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming treatments during the pandemic.
Musk shared that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his daughter’s care, suggesting that he was alarmed by claims that his child might attempt suicide. He remarked that such medical procedures are performed on children who are significantly younger than the legal age of consent. Musk expressed agreement with Peterson’s assertion that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates for such procedures should face imprisonment.
Claiming to have been deceived, Musk stated that he feels he lost his son, a sentiment that is underscored by the term “deadnaming,” which he implied signifies a loss of identity. According to Musk, he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers function as sterilization drugs, although it should be noted that puberty blockers themselves do not directly affect fertility.
His remarks have surfaced shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, which aligns with his opposition to California’s AB1955—legislation that restricts schools from notifying parents when a child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced previous accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, his daughter applied for a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wishes to sever ties with Musk. He attributes their strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, as highlighted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which suggests that this estrangement has informed Musk’s anti-woke views.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously centrist political stance to embrace increasingly right-wing rhetoric, particularly on issues related to diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.