Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care, which led 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, which aired on Monday. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received such care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, highlighting that Wilson changed her name and no longer uses his surname. He recounted being informed that his child might be at risk of suicide, leading to confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to children below the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s view that it is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that advocates for such treatment should face imprisonment. He asserted that he was not made aware that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, even though such blockers alone do not impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” he stated, sharing his feelings of losing his son, a sentiment tied to the concept of “deadnaming,” which he believes signifies that his son is no longer alive.
These comments emerged shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to move to Texas due to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from mandating parent notifications if a child identifies as transgender and requires state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the fractured relationship to her progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This estrangement has been linked to Musk’s “anti-woke” sentiments.
Musk, once recognized for his moderate political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on various issues including diversity initiatives and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential candidacy of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy.