Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, leading him to express his intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk mentioned feeling “tricked” into signing documents regarding his daughter, who has since distanced herself from the Musk family surname. He claimed this occurred before he fully grasped the situation and amid the confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He indicated he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide, prompting him to agree to the care.
He also criticized the practice of providing medical interventions to children below the age of consent, aligning himself with Peterson’s assertion that such actions are “incredibly evil.” Musk, a father of multiple children, argued that he was not properly informed that puberty blockers were essentially sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the term “deadnaming,” which acknowledges the loss of one’s prior identity.
These comments followed Musk’s announcement that he, along with his companies X and SpaceX, would be moving operations to Texas due to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender, while also mandating state resources to support LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and has been criticized for his anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and sought a new birth certificate, asserting in court documents her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which describes Musk’s dynamic with Wilson as a driving force behind his vocal “anti-woke” sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his former center-left political stance to adopt more right-wing rhetoric, addressing topics such as diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration policies. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican party’s presidential ticket, which includes former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.