Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk expressed, referring to Wilson who has since changed her last name. He mentioned that this occurred before he fully understood the situation, amidst the confusion caused by COVID-19, and that he had been told there were risks of suicide involved.
Musk criticized the practice of providing such care to children “who are far below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. He also conveyed that he was never made aware that puberty blockers are effectively hormones that can lead to sterilization, although on their own, they do not directly impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk continued. “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
His comments emerged shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, following California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from enforcing rules requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents that she did not want to be “related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.” Musk has attributed the strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which describes their estrangement as a source of Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate stance to embracing more right-wing viewpoints, addressing issues such as diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy.