Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stirred controversy by claiming that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” due to the gender-affirming care she received, prompting him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic, which Musk described as a confusing time.
Musk indicated that he felt misled into agreeing to decisions regarding his child’s care, stating that he was informed Wilson might be at risk of suicide, which influenced his actions. He voiced strong opposition to procedures applied to minors, asserting that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who promote such treatments should face incarceration.
Additionally, he claimed that he was never properly informed about the implications of puberty blockers, equating them to sterilization drugs, despite such treatments not directly impacting fertility.
Musk expressed deep regret over the situation, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and criticized the terminology of “deadnaming,” reflecting on the profound personal impact of his daughter’s transition.
His comments come shortly after announcing that several of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s recent legislation concerning transgender youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In a notable move in 2022, his daughter sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, indicating a desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to factors related to her schooling in Los Angeles, as documented in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. The biography suggests that this estrangement is a significant motivator behind Musk’s current opposition to progressive ideologies.
Musk, previously known for more centrist views, has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric on various issues, including diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.