Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, asserting that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He expressed this view during an interview with Jordan Peterson, a psychologist and conservative commentator. Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” and revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began her transition during the pandemic when she was 16 years old.
Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents for Wilson, who has since chosen to distance herself from his last name. He stated that this occurred during a time of confusion surrounding COVID-19 and expressed concern that his child might be suicidal at the time. Musk argued that the medical procedures are performed on minors “who are far below the age of consent” and agreed with Peterson’s characterization of the situation as “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who promote such treatments should face imprisonment.
He shared his belief that he was not informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, asserting, “I lost my son, essentially,” while discussing the term “deadnaming” which refers to calling someone by their former name after they have transitioned.
Musk’s remarks follow his recent decision to relocate his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas, largely in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification regarding children’s gender identity. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her biological father entirely. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Musk attributes their estrangement to Wilson’s progressive schooling in Los Angeles, and this distance has influenced his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left views to align more closely with right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity and election integrity. Recently, he also endorsed former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.