Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, prompting him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.” Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” discussing how his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at age 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He stated that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his daughter’s transition, which he claims was suggested to him under the threat of suicide due to the confusion surrounding COVID-19.
He criticized the process of providing gender-affirming care to minors who are below the age of consent, aligning with Peterson’s view that it is “incredibly evil” and asserting that advocates for such practices should face imprisonment. Musk expressed that he never understood that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, noting that he felt he had lost his son through this transition process.
These comments follow Musk’s announcement that companies like X, SpaceX, and Tesla would relocate to Texas, partially in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from requiring parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates that the State Department provide resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and has been linked to anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, his daughter filed for a name change, stating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with Musk entirely. According to author Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes his strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting that this estrangement has fueled his anti-woke sentiments.
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to adopting more right-wing viewpoints, particularly on issues such as diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket that includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the fossil fuel industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.