Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that he feels he has “lost” his transgender daughter following her gender-affirming care, which he described as a form of “child mutilation and sterilization.” Musk made these comments during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. Musk expressed regret, claiming he was misled into signing documents regarding her transition without fully understanding the implications, particularly amidst the confusion created by COVID-19. He mentioned being informed that his child might be at risk of suicide, influencing his decision.
During the interview, Musk criticized the gender transition process for minors and voiced his agreement with Peterson, labeling it as “incredibly evil.” He asserted that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers function similarly to sterilization drugs, despite the fact that blockers by themselves do not affect fertility.
Musk described the experience as one of profound loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotional impact of what he termed “deadnaming,” which refers to the use of a person’s former name.
These remarks followed Musk’s announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate from California to Texas. This move is attributed to California’s legislation known as AB1955, which prohibits schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender and aims to support LGBTQ+ youth.
In recent years, Musk has faced criticism for his views on transgender issues, with past accusations of promoting anti-trans messages. His daughter officially sought a name change and new birth certificate in 2022, citing a desire to no longer be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement from his daughter to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting that this dynamic has fueled his “anti-woke” rhetoric.
Historically known for his moderate political stance, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing rhetoric on various topics such as diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both notable supporters of the fossil fuel industry and critics of clean energy initiatives.