Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which he argued has spurred his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the pandemic and publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk expressed that he felt misled when he signed documents concerning Wilson, noting that this occurred before he fully understood the situation amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned being informed of potential suicide risks related to conversations about gender identity.
He stated that such procedures are performed on minors who are below the legal age of consent, aligning with Peterson’s perspective that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who promote these actions should face imprisonment. Musk, the father of 12, also claimed he was not made aware that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although it should be noted that puberty blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk said, adding that he feels as though he lost his son. He noted that the term “deadnaming” reflects the grief of losing a child.
These remarks followed Musk’s announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas, joining Tesla in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which prevents schools from mandating parental notifications when a child identifies as transgender and promotes support for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, stating in court filings that she no longer wanted to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed their estrangement to her progressive school in Los Angeles, as depicted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests that his fractured relationship with Wilson influences his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, previously recognized for his centrist views, has increasingly adopted right-wing positions on various topics, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he 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.