Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, broadcast on Monday, Musk condemned gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received treatment during the pandemic.
Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents for his daughter when she was transitioning, expressing that he was not fully aware of the implications at the time, citing the confusion surrounding COVID-19. He further asserted that he was told the situation was critical enough that his child might consider suicide.
Musk expressed strong disapproval of procedures performed on minors, emphasizing his agreement with Peterson that such actions are “incredibly evil.” He also stated that he was never informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, a point of contention because these blockers do not directly impact fertility.
He lamented the loss of his son, noting that the term “deadnaming” signifies a profound loss: “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from enforcing rules that require parental notification when a child identifies as transgender, while also mandating state-provided resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has previously faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages.
In 2022, Wilson sought to change her name and obtain a new birth certificate, indicating she no longer wished to have any relationship with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk blames the breakdown of his relationship with Wilson on her progressive education in Los Angeles, connecting this estrangement to his current “anti-woke” views.
Historically known for his more centrist political stance, Musk has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support traditional fossil fuel industries and oppose clean energy.