Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by gender-affirming care, which prompted him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.” These remarks were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired on Monday. Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, transitioned during the pandemic and came out as transgender at 16.
Musk expressed feeling misled when he signed documents regarding his child’s care, referring to Wilson, who no longer uses his surname. He indicated that this occurred prior to his understanding of the situation, compounded by the confusion of the COVID pandemic, and said he was warned that his child might attempt suicide.
He further contended that procedures affecting minors occur “who are far below the age of consent” and expressed agreement with Peterson that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who do so should face imprisonment. With 12 children, Musk claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers acted as “sterilization drugs,” although he noted that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated, lamenting the loss of his son and referencing “deadnaming,” a term used when a transgender person’s birth name is used instead of their chosen name, indicating that his son is deceased in his perspective.
His comments came shortly after he declared that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enacting policies that would require parental notifications if a child identifies as transgender, as well as mandates the State Department to provide resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has a history of being accused of transphobia and of advancing anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents that she wished to sever her relationship with her biological father completely. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to the progressive school that Wilson attended, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. The book posits that the estranged relationship with Wilson contributes to Musk’s growing “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the past few years, Musk, who was once recognized for his center-left political views, has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing rhetoric on issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he voiced his support for the Republican party’s presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.