Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. This prompted him to declare a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk shared his views during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, which aired Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referring to Wilson, who has since dropped his surname. He expressed that he was misled during a time of confusion due to COVID-19, and claims there were concerns about potential suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors “who are far below the age of consent” and echoed Peterson’s sentiments about its perceived evilness, suggesting that advocates of such practices should face imprisonment. Despite having 12 children and often discussing issues of fertility, Musk claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, although these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” he asserted. He voiced strong feelings about the term “deadnaming,” explaining it signifies the loss of his son.
His comments come shortly after announcing that X and SpaceX would join Tesla in relocating to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, legislation that prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In 2022, his daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating in court documents that she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father in any way. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes the estrangement to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, linking this to his growing “anti-woke” narrative.
Musk, who was once aligned with moderate political views, has shifted toward right-wing rhetoric in areas such as diversity initiatives, election policies, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.