Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stirred controversy by suggesting that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, which prompted him to declare an intention to “destroy the woke mind virus.” This statement emerged during a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He spoke about his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who identified as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. Musk claimed he felt misled into signing documents regarding her transition, expressing regret and confusion over the situation.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk remarked, referencing Wilson, who no longer uses his surname. He noted that he was told she was at risk of suicide, further complicating his understanding of the circumstances at the time.
He criticized the medical interventions for young people, asserting that they are conducted on individuals “who are far below the age of consent” and stated his agreement with Peterson that promoting such care is “incredibly evil,” suggesting imprisonment for advocates. Musk also expressed that he was not made aware that puberty blockers equate to sterilization, although it is generally acknowledged that blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.” He emphasized that the term “deadnaming” holds significance, meaning that the identity of his son has been lost to him.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that his businesses, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955 and the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and calls for state resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past.
His daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, stating in court filings her desire to no longer be connected to her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive educational environment in Los Angeles, a perspective outlined in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the entrepreneur. The book suggests that Musk’s estrangement from Wilson has influenced his increasingly vocal “anti-woke” stance.
In recent years, Musk has shifted away from his previous center-left political views, aligning more closely with right-wing rhetoric concerning topics such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration policies. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates of traditional energy sources and opponents of clean energy initiatives.