Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, which led him to declare a mission to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired on Monday. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began receiving gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referencing Wilson, who has since distanced herself from the Musk surname. He explained that this decision occurred during the chaotic early days of COVID-19, and he was led to believe his child was at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the medical process affecting children “who are far below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and claiming that those advocating for it should face imprisonment. As a father of 12, Musk has frequently commented on fertility and population concerns, and he alleged that he was not informed that puberty blockers could also operate as “sterilization drugs,” despite puberty blockers not directly affecting fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated. “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 his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and requires the State Department to supply resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations in the past regarding transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives.
In 2022, his daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court that she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father in any capacity. Musk has attributed his estrangement from Wilson to the progressive environment of her school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained relationship is cited as a factor behind Musk’s current “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk, once known for his moderate political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric on issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly supported the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and critics of clean energy initiatives.