Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his strong opposition to gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that Wilson, who came out as transgender at age 16, underwent gender-affirming procedures during the pandemic.
Musk shared that he felt misled when he consented to documents concerning Wilson’s care, suggesting there was significant confusion at the time due to the pandemic. He claimed he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide, which contributed to his support for her transitioning. Musk criticized the practice of administering treatments to minors, describing it as “incredibly evil” and asserting that those who endorse such practices should face imprisonment.
He further emphasized that he was not fully informed about puberty blockers, which he mistakenly referred to as sterilization drugs. Musk lamented that he has “lost” his son, emphasizing the emotional weight he associates with the term “deadnaming.”
These remarks come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which includes provisions related to parental notification in cases of transgender identification in schools. Musk has faced previous allegations of transphobia and anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, Wilson sought a legal name change and withdrew her father’s surname, stating she wished to sever ties with him. Musk has attributed the distancing of their relationship to the influence of Wilson’s progressive schooling in Los Angeles, suggesting it has played a role in shaping her views.
Once noted for his moderate political stance, Musk has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing ideologies, particularly on issues relating to diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential campaign of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are seen as opponents of clean energy initiatives.