Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which has led him to pledge to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday afternoon. He criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic.
He mentioned feeling “tricked” into signing documents related to his daughter’s transition and expressed that he was unaware of the implications and risks involved. Musk claimed that he was told there was a possibility of suicide if he did not comply with his child’s wishes.
Musk described the procedure to transition as being carried out on children who are below the legal age to provide consent and expressed agreement with Peterson’s assertion that it is “incredibly evil,” stating that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Although he emphasized concerns over fertility and sterilization linked to puberty blockers, it is worth noting that puberty blockers do not inherently cause infertility.
He expressed feelings of loss regarding his son, saying, “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
This announcement comes shortly after Musk revealed that X and SpaceX, along with Tesla, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from enforcing policies that require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, indicating she did not want any relationship with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that it informs his “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over the years, Musk’s political stance has shifted from center-left to increasingly embracing right-wing views, including on issues like diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he supported the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.