Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he expressed strong criticism regarding gender-affirming care for minors. Musk claimed that his transgender daughter was “killed” by the care she received, which fueled his resolve to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” reflecting on his daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson’s experience. She came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Musk mentioned feeling misled and said he was pressured into signing documents regarding matters affecting Wilson, who has since rejected their family name.
He voiced concerns about the implications of gender-affirming procedures for children, who he believes should be provided such care only when they reach the age of consent. Musk expressed agreement with Peterson’s viewpoint that promoting such procedures is “incredibly evil” and advocated for severe consequences for those involved in the practice. He also claimed he was not properly informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite these drugs not directly impacting fertility.
Musk described the emotional toll of these experiences, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” highlighting the term “deadnaming” used in transgender discourse.
His remarks come shortly after announcing that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, citing opposition to California’s AB1955 legislation, which prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if their child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Musk’s daughter had previously sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed the deterioration of their relationship to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. This strained relationship is suggested to be a factor driving Musk’s anti-woke sentiments.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his center-left political roots toward right-wing viewpoints, addressing issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of the oil industry and skepticism towards clean energy initiatives.