Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed distress over his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. He declared an intention to “destroy the woke mind virus” during an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to his daughter’s gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” pointing out that Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned at 16, received such care during the pandemic. He shared that he felt misled when signing documents related to Wilson’s transition, stating there was confusion amid the COVID crisis and an alarming warning about potential suicide risks.
He criticized the practice of administering gender-affirming treatments to minors, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and should be criminalized. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers could be viewed as sterilization drugs, despite their actual medical implications regarding fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this,” and expressed that he feels as though he has “lost” his son, using the term “deadnaming” to convey the impact of his daughter’s transition.
These comments come after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s SAFETY Act. This law prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates support resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Previously, Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating a desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the distance in their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles, a dynamic that Walter Isaacson noted has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from a center-left political stance to embrace right-wing narratives, expressing support for topics like diversity policies and election integrity. Recently, he endorsed former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance for the Republican presidential ticket, both of whom advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.