Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by the gender-affirming care she received, prompting him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these comments during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, known as trans since the age of 16, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
He expressed regret over what he viewed as being misled into signing documents regarding one of his older children, stating that he felt confused during the pandemic when warned that the child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk added that he believes such medical procedures are performed on minors who are below the age of consent and concurred with Peterson’s views calling it “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was unaware that puberty blockers function similarly to sterilization drugs.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated, expressing a sense of loss regarding his son, detailing how the term “deadnaming” reflects his feelings that his son is no longer alive.
These statements come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to offer support resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations in the past regarding transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court filings that she no longer wished to be associated with Musk. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributed their strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting that this dynamic has influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to adopt more right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy.