Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed strong views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He declared his intent to combat what he calls the “woke mind virus.”
Musk’s comments were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” referring to his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 during the pandemic. Musk mentioned that he felt he was misled into supporting his child’s transition, particularly noting that at the time he was concerned for his daughter’s mental health.
He asserted that such procedures are performed on children “who are far below the age of consent,” aligning with Peterson’s views that he perceives this practice as “incredibly evil.” Musk claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, though scientifically, they do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk expressed a sense of loss, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the concept of “deadnaming,” which involves using a person’s former name after they have transitioned. His remarks followed his announcement that companies including X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s new legislation regarding parental notification for transgender-identifying children.
His daughter, who applied for a name change last year, sought to disconnect from Musk, indicating her desire to no longer be associated with him. Musk has suggested that her progressive education in Los Angeles contributed to their estrangement, which he believes influences his current “anti-woke” sentiments. Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from his previous center-left stance to embracing right-wing issues, even endorsing former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance earlier this month.