Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements about his transgender daughter, saying she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed his disdain for gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and underwent gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic.
Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding his child’s care, suggesting he was informed that Wilson might be at risk of suicide. He criticized the procedures carried out on minors who are below the age of consent, aligning with Peterson’s views that such actions are “incredibly evil” and warrant imprisonment for those advocating them. Musk also mentioned that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers act as sterilization drugs, though he noted that puberty blockers do not alone affect fertility.
He lamented the loss of his son due to these circumstances, stating that the term “deadnaming” reflects the emotional impact of losing a child to such a transformation. His remarks come shortly after he announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s recently enacted SAFETY Act, which shields schools from disclosing a child’s transgender identity to parents and provides resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Musk’s relationship with his daughter has deteriorated to the point where she sought legal changes to her name and birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with him completely. His daughter’s actions and Musk’s portrayal of their conflict have been linked to his rising anti-woke rhetoric. Over recent years, Musk, who previously held center-left views, has embraced more right-wing stances on a range of issues, including politics and environmental policies.