Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated that he feels his estranged transgender daughter has been “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care, which led him to pledge to “destroy the woke mind virus.” He made these comments during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and discussed how his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic, coming out as trans at the age of 16. He claimed he was “tricked” into signing documents related to her care, asserting that he was unprepared for the situation due to the confusion surrounding COVID-19 and concerns for her mental health, including fears of potential suicide.
He voiced his belief that procedures for children who are underage and “far below the age of consent” are “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who endorse such practices should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, expressed that he was not informed that puberty blockers were effectively sterilization drugs, although studies indicate that these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Musk remarked, “I was tricked into doing this,” emphasizing his perspective of having lost his son, as he described the concept of “deadnaming”—the act of referring to a transgender person by their birth name—as indicative of loss.
These comments from Musk come shortly after his announcement that Tesla, along with X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s recent legislation, the SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification concerning a child’s transgender identity. Musk has faced ongoing accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, his daughter filed for a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever all ties with Musk. He has attributed the rift in their relationship to her schooling in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. This strained relationship appears to influence Musk’s outspoken “anti-woke” views.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to adopt more right-leaning perspectives, touching on issues such as diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly supported 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.