Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care and vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these statements during a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic, coming out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk explained that he felt misled into signing documents for Wilson, noting that this happened during the COVID pandemic when there was significant confusion and concern about the child’s well-being. He expressed regret about how the situation unfolded, suggesting that he was not fully informed about the ramifications of puberty blockers, which he mistakenly believed to be sterilization drugs.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, stating that it should be considered “incredibly evil,” and called for accountability for those who promote such care. Musk lamented the loss of his son, emphasizing the emotional weight of the term “deadnaming” and how it reflects his feelings of loss.
These remarks follow Musk’s decision to relocate his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 SAFETY Act, which restricts school notifications regarding transgender identities. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents that she no longer wanted any association with her biological father. Musk has attributed his estrangement from her to her progressive educational environment, which is discussed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk.
Historically known for his moderate political stance, Musk has shifted towards more right-wing viewpoints lately, engaging in discussions on various contentious issues including diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.