Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently commented that his estranged transgender daughter faced devastating consequences following her gender-affirming care, leading him to express his determination to combat what he described as the “woke mind virus.” Musk’s remarks were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson aired on Monday.
Musk characterized gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” referring specifically to his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling “tricked” into consenting to documents about his daughter’s care, claiming he was concerned about her mental health amid the chaos of COVID-19.
He expressed strong disapproval of medical procedures for minors who cannot legally consent, agreeing with Peterson that promoting such treatments is “incredibly evil” and suggesting imprisonment for advocates. Musk, who has twelve children, also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers serve as “sterilization drugs,” although it is noted that these medications, when used alone, do not impact fertility.
Musk lamented the relationship with his daughter, stating, “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.” His comments came shortly after he announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s SAFETY Act, which limits school policies regarding transgender youth.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change, asserting through court documents that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father completely. Musk has attributed his strained relationship with her to her progressive education in Los Angeles, according to Walter Isaacson’s biography. This estrangement, Isaacson notes, has influenced Musk’s outspoken anti-woke stance.
Over recent years, Musk, who previously held center-left political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing positions encompassing various topics, including diversity, election issues, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their opposition to clean energy initiatives.