Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed his controversial views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which was aired on Monday. Musk, who oversees various companies including X, described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk stated that he felt misled into supporting his child’s transition, claiming he had limited understanding of the situation at the time and that there was heightened concern for his child’s mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He referred to the difficulty he faced when he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide.
He expressed strong opposition to the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, stating that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Musk, who is a father of 12, mentioned that he was not properly informed about the implications of puberty blockers, asserting they were not explained to him as being potentially sterilizing.
Musk emphasized feelings of loss regarding his son and criticized the terminology used in the transgender community, particularly the term “deadnaming.” His comments coincided with his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas amid concerns over California’s AB1955, which limits parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, his daughter legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, stating her desire to sever ties with Musk. The estrangement has been linked to Musk’s viewpoints and criticism of progressive education, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, which attributes his “anti-woke sentiments” to the fallout with his daughter.
In recent years, Musk’s political stance has shifted from center-left to embracing several right-wing positions, addressing issues related to diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he publicly endorsed Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump.