Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, prompting him to express his intention to confront what he terms the “woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, broadcast on Monday afternoon, Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk explained that he felt deceived into signing documents regarding his child, who no longer uses his last name. He said, “This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on,” mentioning his concerns at the time about his child’s mental health, including fears of suicide.
He criticized the practices involved in gender reassignment, stating they are applied to children who are not of consenting age. Musk agreed with Peterson that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates of these procedures should face imprisonment. He expressed frustration over not being fully informed that puberty blockers, which he referred to as sterilization drugs, were part of the treatment process.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” explaining that the term “deadnaming” reflects the loss he feels over his child’s transition.
These remarks come shortly after Musk announced that X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, and Tesla would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification when a child identifies as transgender and mandates resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages previously.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating she wished to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson suggested that Musk’s difficulties with his daughter contribute to his “anti-woke” views.
Once recognized for more moderate politics, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing stances on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.