Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated during a recent interview that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. He vowed to combat what he describes as the “woke mind virus.”
His remarks were made during a discussion with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” expressing distress over his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned when she was 16. Musk shared that he was misled into signing documents regarding his child’s transition during the pandemic, alleging that he was told Wilson might be at risk of suicide.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, stating it is “incredibly evil” and should be subject to prison sentences for those promoting it. Musk, who has a total of 12 children, expressed regret about not being informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite them not directly affecting fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk said, indicating he feels he lost his son through this process. He described the concept of “deadnaming,” stating it reflects the loss of his son’s identity.
Musk’s comments emerge shortly after he announced plans for his companies, including X and SpaceX, to relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law restricts how schools handle notification to parents when children identify as transgender and allocates resources for LGBTQ+ children.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought to change her name and obtain a new birth certificate, declaring she no longer wishes to have any ties to her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, which he believes influences her views. As detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography, this rift has contributed to Musk’s outspoken “anti-woke” stance.
Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric in recent years, distancing himself from his formerly center-left political views. Recently, he backed the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.