Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, vowing to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk shared these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referencing Wilson, who no longer uses his surname. He also expressed that he was misinformed and that there was confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic, with threats of suicide being mentioned regarding his child.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to children who have not yet reached the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and that those who support it should face imprisonment. Musk claimed that he was not informed about puberty blockers being sterilization drugs, though such treatments do not affect fertility on their own.
“I was tricked into doing this,” he lamented. “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
Musk’s statements follow his announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating that parents be informed if their child identifies as transgender and requires state resources to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive school she attended in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. This strained relationship, Isaacson suggests, has influenced Musk’s anti-woke views.
In recent years, transitioning from his previously moderate political stance, Musk has gravitated toward right-wing rhetoric on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly supported the Republican presidential candidates, former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their pro-oil industry positions and opposition to clean energy initiatives.