Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after she received gender-affirming care, leading him to pledge to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative figure Jordan Peterson. He referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” mentioning that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at age 16.
Musk shared that he felt “tricked” into signing documents related to his daughter’s transition, noting it happened during a chaotic time marked by COVID-19, when he was told that his child could be at risk of suicide. He criticized the process of providing care to minors who are below the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and that advocates of such practices should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was misinformed about the implications of puberty blockers, which are often debated regarding their effects on fertility.
In his comments, Musk expressed a deep sense of loss, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referring to the term “deadnaming” as indicative of that loss.
These statements come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas due to California’s legislation known as the SAFETY Act, which prevents schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender while also mandating support resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating that she wishes to have no association with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive schooling, as detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography. The book suggests that Musk’s strained relationship with his daughter has fueled his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk’s political stance has shifted noticeably in recent years, as he embraces more right-wing views on issues ranging from diversity initiatives to election integrity and immigration. He recently expressed support for the Republican presidential candidates, including former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.