During a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his controversial views about gender-affirming care for minors, claiming it has had devastating effects on his estranged transgender daughter. Musk referred to the medical procedures as “child mutilation and sterilization” and revealed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
He shared his feelings of being misled about the care Wilson received, stating that he signed documents regarding her treatment without fully understanding the implications. Musk indicated that this decision was influenced by concerns about his child’s mental health during a tumultuous time with the COVID-19 pandemic, mentioning fears that she might harm herself.
Musk criticized the practice of providing such care to minors, aligning himself with Peterson’s views that he described as “incredibly evil” and suggested that those promoting these procedures should face imprisonment. He also claimed he was never informed that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that puberty blockers do not inherently affect fertility.
In expressing his grief, Musk said, “I lost my son, essentially,” reflecting on the pain he associates with the term “deadnaming,” which refers to using a transgender person’s previous name.
Musk’s comments come shortly after he announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas, citing concerns over California’s legislation regarding parental notification for transgender minors. His statements have reignited accusations of transphobia toward him.
His daughter applied for a legal name change in 2022, stating in court documents that she wishes to sever ties with her biological father completely. Musk has attributed their estrangement to the influence of progressive education, a sentiment echoed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him, which links his anti-woke rhetoric to his troubled relationship with Wilson.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left to right-wing viewpoints on issues such as diversity initiatives and immigration. Notably, he recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, indicating his support for former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.