Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated during an interview that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, leading him to pledge to combat what he calls the “woke mind virus.” His remarks were made in a discussion with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
He claimed that he was misled into signing documents concerning his older child, who has since dropped his last name. He expressed that this happened amidst the confusion of the COVID pandemic and was driven by concerns that Wilson might contemplate suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing such medical care to children who are below the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s view that it is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Claiming he was unaware that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this,” adding that he feels he lost his son, saying, “They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason.”
These comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955, the SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and requires state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter filed for a name change and sought a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk attributed the rift to her progressive education in Los Angeles, as suggested by Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained relationship has been cited as a factor fueling Musk’s “anti-woke” views.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left stance to align more with right-wing ideologies, addressing issues such as diversity initiatives and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential candidacy of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.