Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed strong opinions about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. He made these remarks during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, where he criticized gender reassignment procedures, labeling them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk stated that he felt misled into consenting to documentation regarding his child’s care, emphasizing a time of confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressing concerns that his daughter might attempt suicide. He asserted that decisions regarding such medical interventions are being made for children who are not yet of legal consent and echoed Peterson’s claim that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that supporters should face imprisonment.
The tech billionaire also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers, which do not impact fertility on their own, are essentially sterilization drugs. Musk expressed regret over the situation, stating, “I was tricked into doing this,” and lamented the loss of his son, contending that the terminology surrounding gender transition reflects this loss.
These comments were made shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, a bill that limits parental notification when children identify as transgender. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans sentiments in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and requested a new birth certificate, indicating her desire to dissociate from Musk entirely. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he attributes their estrangement to the influence of her progressive school in Los Angeles, positing that this strained relationship is linked to his anti-woke ideology.
Musk, who previously held center-left political views, has recently embraced right-wing rhetoric, addressing topics from diversity initiatives to election fraud and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, who advocate for the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.