Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was effectively “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, sparking his commitment to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16, having received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed he felt misled into signing documents concerning his child, emphasizing that he lacked awareness of the situation at that time, which was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned concerns about Wilson’s mental health, stating that he was informed she might be at risk of suicide.
He criticized the medical procedures performed on minors, stating that they are often subjected to such measures before reaching the age of consent. Musk echoed Peterson’s sentiment, labeling the practices as “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates of these procedures should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers could act as sterilization drugs, although he acknowledged that these blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk declared. “I lost my son, essentially.” He noted that the term “deadnaming” is used for a reason, implying that his son is no longer alive to him.
These remarks follow Musk’s announcement that X and SpaceX will relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, which prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates the State Department to offer resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans views in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to dissociate from her biological father. Musk has attributed their estrangement to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, according to the biography by Walter Isaacson. This strained relationship is suggested to influence Musk’s “anti-woke” stance.
Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political views to adopt more right-wing perspectives, addressing topics such as diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy efforts.