Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, expressing his intent to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. The Tesla chief criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming medical care during the pandemic.
In the interview, Musk remarked that he felt misled into endorsing documents regarding his older child, referencing Wilson, who no longer uses his surname. He added that this occurred when he had limited understanding of the situation, worsened by the disruptions of COVID-19. He claimed that he was informed his child might be at risk of suicide, which pressured him to consent.
Musk expressed concerns about children receiving such medical interventions “well below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson’s view that it is “incredibly evil” and stating that those advocating for it should face imprisonment. The billionaire, who has 12 children and frequently discusses issues around fertility and population, asserted that he was never made aware that puberty blockers could be classified as sterilization drugs, despite these drugs not affecting fertility on their own.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated. “I essentially lost my son. The term ‘deadnaming’ exists for a reason—it indicates that your son is dead.”
His comments surfaced shortly after he declared that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, following California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates the state to offer resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, his daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson suggests that this estrangement influences Musk’s growing “anti-woke” tendencies.
Historically associated with center-left politics, Musk has increasingly aligned with right-wing views, addressing various topics from diversity policies to claims of election fraud and immigration. Earlier this month, he voiced support for the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who both advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.