Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed during a recent interview that his transgender daughter was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care, leading him to express a desire to combat what he termed the “woke mind virus.”
Musk’s remarks came during a discussion with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he criticized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk noted that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began identifying as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
He stated, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” referring to Wilson, who has since distanced herself from her father’s last name. Musk described the period as one of confusion exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and shared that he was advised his child could be at risk of suicide.
Musk asserted that the procedures are performed on children who are below the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s sentiment that it is “incredibly evil,” advocating imprisonment for anyone who promotes it. He expressed his belief that he was misled about puberty blockers, claiming they are sterilization drugs, a statement that is contested by medical experts who assert that puberty blockers do not directly impact fertility.
Musk remarked, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotional pain associated with what he referred to as “deadnaming.”
His comments follow a recent announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing notification rules for parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter filed for a name change and a revised birth certificate, stating in court documents that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, the strained relationship with Wilson has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left views to adopt more right-wing rhetoric, voicing positions on various issues, including diversity initiatives and election integrity. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.