Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter has been “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, prompting him to pledge to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired on Monday. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as trans at the age of 16 and began receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk stated, referring to Wilson, who has chosen to no longer use her father’s last name. He expressed that this occurred before he fully understood the situation and during a confusing period due to COVID-19, when he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk stated that this process impacts children “who are far below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers are “actually just sterilization drugs,” although puberty blockers alone do not affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” Musk lamented. He explained the term “deadnaming,” saying it reflects the loss of his son.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating that parents be informed if their child identifies as transgender and aims to provide resources for LGBTQ+ identifying children. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court that she wished to dissociate from her biological father completely. Musk has previously attributed the breakdown of his relationship with his daughter to her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which suggests that his estranged relationship with Wilson has fueled his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over recent years, Musk, once viewed as a center-left figure, has increasingly adopted right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election integrity, 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 support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.