Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his outrage over gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” by such care, which he described as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
In the interview, Musk reflected on Wilson’s decision to come out as transgender at the age of 16 and noted that she received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled when he signed documents concerning his child’s care, highlighting that there was significant confusion due to the pandemic and concerns about suicide risks.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors and aligned with Peterson’s assertion that supporting such care is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. He also raised concerns about his lack of understanding regarding puberty blockers, mistakenly believing they were sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers do not impact fertility directly.
Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the emotional toll of his estrangement from Wilson. He noted that the term “deadnaming,” which is the use of a person’s former name, signifies the loss he feels regarding his son.
These comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced his plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, following California’s AB1955, a law that limits parental notifications regarding a child’s transgender identity and mandates the provision of resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced ongoing allegations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change, stating in court documents her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed their estranged relationship to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting this dynamic has influenced his vocal opposition to “woke” culture.
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from more centrist political views to adopting right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity initiatives and election integrity. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former president Donald Trump.