Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which prompted him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk, who oversees various enterprises including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk mentioned feeling misled when he signed documents for one of his older sons, referring to Wilson, who has opted to no longer use his last name. He explained that this occurred before he fully understood the situation and amid the confusion brought on by COVID-19, during which he was warned that his child might be at risk of suicide.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, arguing that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who promote such actions should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of twelve, asserted that he was not informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that puberty blockers themselves do not impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented. “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These remarks emerged following Musk’s announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation, aimed at protecting transgender youth. The law prohibits schools from enforcing policies requiring parental notification if a student identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wished to sever all ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to Wilson’s progressive schooling in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. According to Isaacson, this estrangement has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke” perspectives.
Recently, Musk, who once held center-left political views, has shifted towards right-wing rhetoric concerning numerous topics including diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration policies. Earlier this month, he endorsed Republican candidates, former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who both support traditional energy sectors and oppose clean energy initiatives.