Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed distress over his estranged transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. In doing so, he pledged to take steps to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, transitioned during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents for his daughter, noting that this occurred before he had a full understanding of the situation amidst the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that he was led to believe Wilson might attempt suicide.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, stating it is done to children who are not of legal consent age, and voiced agreement with Peterson’s assertion that such practices are “incredibly evil,” suggesting that advocates for them should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could be viewed as sterilization drugs, though these blockers do not, in isolation, affect fertility.
Expressing regret, Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the concept of “deadnaming.”
His comments come shortly after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, partly due to California’s recent legislation prohibiting schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender. This law also mandates that the State Department provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson filed for a name change and sought a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with Musk. He has attributed the rift in their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. It suggests Musk’s strained relationship with Wilson fuels his anti-woke rhetoric.
Once known for moderate political views, Musk has shifted towards right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity policies, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.