Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made headlines following controversial comments regarding his estranged transgender daughter, whom he claims was “killed” by gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, broadcast Monday, Musk criticized gender reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, began transitioning during the pandemic at the age of 16. He expressed that he felt misled into signing necessary documents for her care, stating, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys.” He implied that at the time, there was considerable confusion due to the pandemic, and concerns over suicide were raised.
Musk described the treatment given to minors as “incredibly evil,” aligning with Peterson’s views, and suggested that those who promote such practices should face imprisonment. He expressed that he had not been fully informed about the implications of puberty blockers, claiming they were mistakenly presented to him as a means of treatment.
Musk said, “I lost my son, essentially,” emphasizing the emotional toll of what he referred to as “deadnaming,” the practice of using a person’s birth name after they have transitioned.
His comments come in the wake of his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas partially due to California’s AB1955 legislation, which limits parental notification regarding transgender identification in schools and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia in the past.
In a 2022 court filing, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating she wished to sever all ties with Musk. Musk has attributed their estrangement to the influence of her progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting it has fueled his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Furthermore, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to adopt more right-wing views, including supporting Republican candidates who advocate against clean energy.