Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed controversial views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” by the gender-affirming care she received. In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared his experience with his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic.
Musk claimed he felt misled into agreeing to documents concerning his child’s care and mentioned that he was told at the time that his child might be at risk of suicide. He expressed outrage over procedures being performed on minors who are not of consenting age and supported Peterson’s assertion that promoting such treatment is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that proponents should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers could act as sterilization drugs, despite these substances not directly affecting fertility.
He lamented the impact of the situation on his relationship with his child, asserting that he feels he has “lost” his son and that the term “deadnaming” reflects this loss. Musk’s remarks followed his announcement that he would be relocating X and SpaceX to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which impacts how schools must address students identifying as transgender.
Musk’s daughter applied for a name change and a new birth certificate in 2022, stating in court that she does not wish to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed their estrangement to her progressive education in Los Angeles. Over recent years, he has shifted politically from center-left to embracing more right-wing ideologies, including skepticism towards diversity initiatives and criticism of clean energy efforts.