Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines when he claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” due to the gender-affirming care she received, leading him to express his determination to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk’s remarks were made during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday. He labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, embraced her transgender identity at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
He recounted feeling “tricked” into signing documents for his daughter, expressing regret over his lack of understanding at the time. “I was told she might commit suicide,” Musk noted, reflecting on the confusion caused by the pandemic.
Musk criticized the medical procedures available to children “far below the age of consent,” sharing his agreement with Peterson that such practices are “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who promote them should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers alone do not inherently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated, lamenting the loss of his son. He described the term “deadnaming,” used by some to refer to the practice of calling a transgender person by their former name, as indicative of this loss.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate from California to Texas, citing concerns over California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules that would require parents to be informed if their child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Wilson filed for a name change to dissociate herself from Musk entirely, asserting in court that she did not wish to be connected to her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that his strained relationship with her has fueled his “anti-woke” views.
Historically known for his center-left political stance, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity and immigration policies. Recently, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.