Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk condemned gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk stated that Wilson, who came out as trans at age 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic. He expressed regret, claiming he was “tricked” into signing documents regarding his daughter’s transition before fully understanding the situation, particularly amidst the confusion of COVID-19. He suggested he had been led to believe his child was at risk of suicide.
The CEO criticized the practice of gender-affirming procedures for children, stating it was “incredibly evil” and advocated for criminal penalties for those promoting such treatments. Musk, a father of 12, claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs, although such blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
Reflecting on the impact of his daughter’s transition, Musk expressed that he felt he essentially lost his son, emphasizing the term “deadnaming” used in discussions about transgender identity. His remarks surfaced shortly after he announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, indicating frustration with California legislation that restricts parental notification when a child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and new birth certificate, stating she no longer wants to have any relation to her father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive educational environment his daughter experienced in Los Angeles, which he believes has influenced her views. His growing alignment with right-wing perspectives has included criticism of diversity initiatives and endorsements of figures like Donald Trump.