Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial statements about his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This has prompted him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recounted how his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk claimed that he felt misled when he signed documents relating to his daughter’s transition, stating, “I was essentially tricked.” He mentioned that there was considerable confusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fears that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, saying that it is “incredibly evil” and called for imprisonment for those who advocate for it. He also expressed dismay over not being informed that puberty blockers are, in his view, sterilization drugs, though it is generally understood that they do not affect fertility on their own.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated. “I lost my son, essentially.” He remarked that the term “deadnaming” reflects the loss he feels regarding his child’s previous identity.
His remarks come shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas, influenced by California legislation known as AB1955. This law restricts schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender and requires the State Department to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and requested a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents her desire to completely sever ties with her biological father. Musk attributes the strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive school in Los Angeles, asserting that this dynamic influences his anti-woke views.
In recent years, Musk has shifted away from his former center-left political stance to embrace right-wing ideologies, criticizing diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration policies. Earlier this month, he endorsed a Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both supporters of the oil sector and opponents of clean energy initiatives.