Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed strong opinions regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk stated that these procedures ultimately pushed him to vow to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” shedding light on his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received such care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled when he signed documents concerning her care, emphasizing that this occurred before he fully grasped the implications, amidst the chaotic environment of the pandemic. Musk claimed he was told about potential suicidal thoughts prompting the care.
He criticized the practice of administering gender-affirming treatments to minors, asserting that it’s “incredibly evil” and insisted that anyone promoting it should be imprisoned. Musk, a father of 12, argued that he was unaware that puberty blockers function similarly to sterilization drugs, although these blockers alone do not fully impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, reflecting on his relationship with his child. He also discussed the notion of “deadnaming,” which he led to suggest that his son, as he refers to Wilson, is effectively “dead” to him.
These remarks come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, in part due to California’s AB1955 legislation, which restricts schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating that she did not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed his estrangement from Wilson to her progressive schooling, according to biographer Walter Isaacson, suggesting that this relationship breakdown influences Musk’s anti-woke rhetoric.
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political views to align more closely with right-wing ideologies, touching on various contentious topics such as diversity, electoral fraud, and immigration. Recently, he also endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and criticism of clean energy initiatives.