Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his distress regarding his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, and pledged to combat what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired on Monday afternoon. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic after coming out as transgender at age 16.
Musk stated that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his child, leading to a sense of loss. He mentioned that he had been informed of potential suicidal ideation, which contributed to his decisions during the pandemic’s chaotic environment. He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, asserting that it was “incredibly evil” and should lead to imprisonment for those who advocate for it. Musk claimed he was unaware that puberty blockers were essentially sterilization drugs, although these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Additionally, he reflected on the emotional impact of his daughter’s transition, noting the term “deadnaming” used to refer to the former name of someone who has transitioned, emphasizing the profound loss he feels.
These comments followed Musk’s announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from informing parents if a child identifies as transgender and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, his daughter sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating she no longer wished to have any relationship with Musk. He has attributed their estrangement to the progressive nature of her school in Los Angeles, a dynamic that has been linked to Musk’s outspoken anti-woke views.
Over the past few years, Musk’s political stance has shifted notably from center-left to embracing right-wing positions, including opposition to diversity initiatives and support for election fraud narratives. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their ties to the fossil fuel industry and resistance to clean energy initiatives.