Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his anguish over his estranged transgender daughter, asserting that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk declared his intention to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as trans at the age of 16.
Reflecting on the situation, Musk claimed, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” alluding to Wilson, who has since dropped his surname. He mentioned that he was misled during a time of confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and was warned that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk further argued that these procedures are performed on children who cannot legally give consent, agreeing with Peterson that the practice is “incredibly evil” and suggested that its promoters deserve imprisonment. He added that he was never informed that puberty blockers could be considered “sterilization drugs,” despite the fact that they do not instantly affect fertility.
In his remarks, Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas as part of a response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prevents schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, Wilson sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she no longer wishes to have a relationship with her biological father. Musk has attributed the rift to Wilson’s progressive school in Los Angeles, as detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson noted that the strained relationship has influenced Musk’s pronounced “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent times, Musk has shifted from his prior center-left political stance to adopt a more right-wing perspective on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.