Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to promise to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday. He criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic at the age of 16.
He expressed that he felt misled into signing documents regarding his child’s transition, mentioning that he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding it, especially with the confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Musk stated that he was told his child might be at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the medical practices involving children who have not yet reached the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that such situations are “incredibly evil” and that those advocating for them should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers are basically sterilization drugs.
Expressing his emotional turmoil, Musk said, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the concept of “deadnaming,” which indicates a sense of loss associated with his daughter’s transition.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced plans to relocate X and SpaceX along with Tesla to Texas due to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from enforcing rules that mandate parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and requires the State to support LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating in court documents her desire to no longer be associated with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he attributed the strained relationship with Wilson to her progressive school in Los Angeles, suggesting that these issues have influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, who previously leaned towards center-left politics, has shifted increasingly towards right-wing viewpoints on various topics, including diversity policies and immigration. Recently, he voiced support for the Republican presidential ticket, endorsing former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both advocates for the oil industry and critics of clean energy initiatives.