Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his belief that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care, leading him to pledge to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk shared these views during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday afternoon. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” stating that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referring to Wilson, who has chosen to distance herself from her father’s surname. He explained that this occurred before he fully understood the situation, while COVID-19 contributed to a climate of confusion, with concerns about suicidal tendencies being raised.
Musk criticized the medical procedures being performed on children who are below the age of consent, aligning himself with Peterson in labeling the practice as “incredibly evil.” He argued that those advocating for it should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, expressed frustration that he was not informed that puberty blockers are “actually just sterilization drugs,” asserting that he felt deceived into allowing the treatments. He noted that puberty blockers alone do not impact fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk stated, expressing sorrow over the loss of his son, emphasizing the term “deadnaming” as indicative of that loss.
His comments follow a recent announcement that he would be relocating X and SpaceX to Texas, alongside Tesla, due to his discontent with California’s AB1955. This legislation prevents schools from mandating parental notifications if a child identifies as transgender and includes state resources for supporting LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations in the past of promoting transphobia.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and new birth certificate, declaring in court documents her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the rift in their relationship to her progressive educational environment, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. Isaacson suggested that Musk’s estrangement from Wilson has influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, who previously held moderate political views, has increasingly embraced right-wing ideologies on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.