Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed strong opposition to gender-reassignment surgery, which he described as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received this care amid the pandemic.
Musk shared that he felt misled when he signed documents approving his daughter’s care, expressing concern over the mental health risks his child faced, including suicidal ideation. He lamented that this happened without his full understanding, pointing out that it involved children who are not yet of consenting age. Musk identified with Peterson’s assertion that promoting such care is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates for it should face imprisonment.
He also claimed that he was never informed that puberty blockers, which do not affect fertility on their own, are effectively sterilization drugs. Musk stated, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming” as indicative of his loss.
These comments emerged shortly after Musk announced that companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955 or SAFETY Act, which prevents schools from mandated parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. Musk’s public statements have drawn accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging.
In 2022, Wilson applied to change her name and birth certificate, stating she no longer wishes to be affiliated with her biological father. Notably, Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive nature of her school. His comments and political stance reflect a significant shift from his previous centrist views, as he has increasingly embraced right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including endorsing the Republican ticket featuring former President Donald Trump.