Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, leading him to express a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk’s remarks came during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, had undergone gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referring to Wilson, who no longer uses his last name. He elaborated that this occurred during a time of confusion and concern over mental health, as he was informed that his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing medical assistance to children who are under the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil,” and suggested that those who promote such treatments should face imprisonment. He claimed he was not fully informed that puberty blockers function as “sterilization drugs,” although they do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented. “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 followed Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court filings that she desires to no longer be associated with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes his strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting it influences his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previous center-left political stance to increasingly embrace right-wing narratives concerning issues like diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and are opposed to clean energy initiatives.