Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks about his estranged 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 as “child mutilation and sterilization.” His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16, received such care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed that he felt misled into signing documents concerning his daughter, who had been facing significant mental health struggles. He emphasized that children undergoing these procedures are often below the age of consent, calling the promotion of such care “incredibly evil.” He argued that he was unaware that puberty blockers effectively act as sterilization drugs.
Musk stated, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the concept of “deadnaming,” which is the act of referring to a transgender person by their birth name. His comments followed his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, a law that prohibits schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, citing her desire to dissociate from him. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her liberal educational environment, linking it to his growing anti-woke sentiments.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left to more right-wing viewpoints, addressing topics like diversity initiatives, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.