Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed deep concern over the impact of gender-affirming care, claiming that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by the process. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk reiterated his commitment to combat what he terms the “woke mind virus.”
Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned during the pandemic and is currently 16, has distanced herself from him by choosing not to use his last name. Musk said that he felt misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s care due to the confusion surrounding COVID-19 and the fear of suicide.
He argued against providing such medical treatment to children who he believes are too young to give consent, aligning himself with Peterson’s assertion that promoting such actions is “incredibly evil.” Musk claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite the fact that they do not inherently affect fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the concept of “deadnaming,” which he feels signifies the loss of his child.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, aligning with his opposition to California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification when children identify as transgender. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric previously.
Wilson applied for a legal name change in 2022, stating in court that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. Musk attributes their strained relationship to the progressive nature of her school in Los Angeles, a point elaborated upon in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the billionaire. Isaacson indicated that this estrangement may be a driving force behind Musk’s increasingly vocal “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, who has shifted from center-left politics to more right-wing views in recent years, has also endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, which includes former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are known for their pro-oil and anti-clean energy stances.