Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements regarding his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, labeling it “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed regret about being “tricked” into supporting his daughter’s transition, stating that he was ill-informed during a confusing time due to COVID-19. He claimed there were concerns about his child’s mental health, with reports suggesting a potential risk of suicide.
He criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors who are often below the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s sentiment that promoting such treatment is “incredibly evil.” Musk argued that he was misled regarding puberty blockers, claiming they were represented as harmless, while he now asserts they are sterilization drugs, despite the fact that puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Musk noted, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to Wilson’s decision to change her name and sever ties with him, which she documented in a court filing last year in which she sought a name change and a new birth certificate. He attributed the estrangement to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography on Musk.
Musk has faced criticism for his views on transgender issues and his perceived alignment with anti-trans narratives. His comments come shortly after announcing a relocation of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas due to California legislation targeting parental notification about transgender identification in schools. In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left political views to adopting more right-wing perspectives, endorsing candidates who oppose clean energy initiatives.