Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” when she received gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk declared his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” sharing that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He claimed he was misled into signing documents concerning this matter for Wilson, who has since distanced herself from him by changing her last name.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said. He recalled being told that his child might commit suicide, leading to his signing the papers without fully understanding the consequences.
He criticized the practice of providing such care to children who are “far below the age of consent” and agreed with Peterson that it is profoundly wrong, suggesting that individuals who promote it should face imprisonment. Musk also stated he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although it is important to note that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, aligning with his criticism of California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates the provision of resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of promoting transphobia in the past.
In 2022, his daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she no longer wishes to be “related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.” Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive school his daughter attended in Los Angeles, which, according to a biography by Walter Isaacson, may have influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk, who previously identified with center-left politics, has increasingly adopted right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. This month, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their support of the oil industry and opposition to clean energy initiatives.