Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, stating that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. These statements were made during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, where Musk also criticized the practice, calling gender-reassignment surgery “child mutilation and sterilization.” Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received care during the pandemic.
Musk claimed he was misled into consenting for his daughter’s treatment and expressed his concerns over procedures being done on minors. He labeled the practice as “incredibly evil,” echoing Peterson’s sentiments, and suggested that those who promote such treatments should face imprisonment. Musk, who has a total of 12 children, expressed regret over not being fully informed about the implications of puberty blockers, stating that he feels he lost his son, referring to his daughter’s transition.
His comments surface following his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, motivated by California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past.
In 2022, Wilson legally changed her name and birth certificate, expressing in court that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the influence of her progressive school, suggesting it has shaped her views and, consequently, fueled his “anti-woke” rhetoric.
Once aligned with center-left politics, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, who advocate for traditional energy sources and oppose clean energy initiatives.