Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial comments about his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after seeking gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his desire to “destroy the woke mind virus,” referring to his daughter’s transition and the treatment she received.
Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” discussing his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at age 16. He claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding her care, explaining that this occurred during the pandemic when he was overwhelmed with confusion and worried about her mental well-being.
During the interview, Musk expressed his belief that children under the age of consent are subjected to such treatments, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. Musk, who has 12 children, stated that he was never informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not directly impact fertility.
He lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotional impact of what he referred to as “deadnaming.” His remarks come shortly after announcing that his companies X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, citing California’s recent legislation, AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from requiring parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity and mandates support for LGBTQ+ youth from the State Department.
Musk’s daughter sought a name change in 2022, stating she wished to dissociate from her father entirely. He has attributed their estrangement to her progressive education and has expressed that their troubled relationship fuels his anti-woke views.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to a more right-wing ideology, addressing issues such as diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.