Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. These statements were made during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” expressing his disapproval of the treatment his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received during the pandemic when she came out as transgender at the age of 16.
He stated that he was misled into signing documents related to Wilson’s care, mentioning concerns about her mental health during the chaotic period of COVID-19. Musk expressed his belief that minors, who may be too young to give informed consent, should not undergo such medical procedures, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates for such treatments deserve imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, also claimed that he was not adequately informed about the effects of puberty blockers, which are primarily used to delay puberty but do not directly affect fertility.
Musk’s expressions of loss over his daughter’s transition included comments about “deadnaming,” a term used when someone is referred to by their birth name rather than their chosen name. Musk’s remarks have surfaced shortly after his announcement of relocating X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX to Texas, partly in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from enforcing parental notification if a student identifies as transgender and promotes support resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
In a 2022 court filing, his daughter requested a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the liberal influence of her school in Los Angeles. His relationship with Wilson has been suggested as a key factor behind his increasing alignment with conservative viewpoints on various social issues. Recently, Musk has shifted from his prior centrist position to endorse right-wing narratives concerning topics like diversity, election integrity, and immigration, including his support for the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.