Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his views about gender-affirming care in a recent interview, claiming that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” by such treatment. He made these remarks while speaking with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, emphasizing his opposition to gender-reassignment surgery, which he referred to as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic at the age of 16. He stated that he felt misled into signing documents regarding his child’s care, explaining that there was significant confusion at the time due to the pandemic. He claimed he was informed that his child was at risk of suicide.
Musk criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, asserting that it is done to individuals “who are far below the age of consent.” He echoed Peterson’s sentiment that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates for it should face imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, expressed regret, saying he was not fully informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he characterized as “sterilization drugs.”
He lamented losing his son, stating that the term “deadnaming” exemplifies the profound loss he feels regarding his child’s identity. Musk’s comments follow his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, partly in response to California’s AB1955, which restricts parental notification regarding transgender identity in schools.
Musk’s daughter legally changed her name in 2022, declaring in court documents that she wished to sever all ties with her biological father. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes the strained relationship with his daughter to her progressive schooling. Furthermore, Musk’s increasing alignment with conservative viewpoints marks a shift from his previous center-left political stance, as he has recently endorsed the Republican party’s presidential candidates.