Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, prompting him to assert a commitment to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at 16.
Musk expressed regret over signing documents pertaining to Wilson, who has distanced herself from the Musk surname, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He became emotional recounting being told that his child might be at risk of suicide, which influenced his decisions during a confusing time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He voiced concerns about gender-affirming procedures being performed on minors, stating, “It’s incredibly evil,” and suggested that those promoting such practices should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was never made aware that puberty blockers — which do not independently affect fertility — were effectively sterilization medications.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotionally charged term “deadnaming,” which he believes reflects the loss of his relationship with his daughter.
His comments followed a recent announcement about moving his firms, including X and SpaceX, to Texas, partly due to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law restricts school policies regarding parental notification of students identifying as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced ongoing accusations of promoting transphobia.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a legal name change and a new birth certificate, detailing in court that she wished to sever ties with her father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, the strained relationship with Wilson has contributed to Musk’s strong anti-woke stance.
Musk’s political views, once center-left, have shifted toward right-wing ideologies, encompassing a wide range of issues from diversity to election integrity. Recently, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket, both of whom advocate for fossil fuels and position themselves against clean energy initiatives.