Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care and has vowed to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
Musk made these remarks in an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, aired Monday afternoon. He described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic, coming out as transgender at the age of 16.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, referencing Wilson, who has chosen to no longer use his last name. He mentioned that he was misled about the seriousness of the situation, stating, “I was told [Musk’s child] might commit suicide,” during a confusing time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk expressed agreement with Peterson, declaring that the medical procedures performed on minors who are below the age of consent are “incredibly evil” and suggested that those who advocate for such practices should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers could act as “sterilization drugs,” although it is important to note that puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk lamented, adding, “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments followed Musk’s recent announcement that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas as a response to California’s AB1955, also known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from imposing requirements to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates that the State Department provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing through court documents her desire to entirely dissociate from her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive school in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, suggesting that this rift has fueled Musk’s “anti-woke” sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk, once recognized for centrist political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing ideologies on various issues, including diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.