Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He has vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus” as part of his critiques on transgender treatment for youth.
These statements were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. Musk, who is at the helm of various companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He noted that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who publicly identified as transgender at 16 and changed her name, underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic.
Musk expressed that he felt misled into signing documents related to his child’s care. He connected this feeling to the heightened emotional state surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was told [my child] might commit suicide,” Musk explained.
He criticized the medical procedures given to children who are not of legal consent age, aligning with Peterson’s views that such practices are “incredibly evil” and that those who promote them should face imprisonment. Musk, who has twelve children, stated that he was not made aware that puberty blockers could have permanent effects on fertility, although they are not solely about affecting fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, adding that he feels as though he has lost his son. He described the term ‘deadnaming’—used when referring to a transgender person by their birth name—as indicative of grief over losing a child.
Musk’s comments come on the heels of his announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parents to be informed if their child identifies as transgender and mandates resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations in the past of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she does not wish to be “related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.” Musk has attributed the estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, a dynamic that, according to biographer Walter Isaacson, has fueled Musk’s “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk, who was once seen as more centrist, has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on issues ranging from diversity initiatives to election fraud and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly supported the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy reforms.