Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk condemned gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received such care during the pandemic and publicly identified as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk expressed that he felt misled when he signed documents related to Wilson’s care, which he did under the impression that it was critical to prevent potential suicide. He indicated that the rush of events during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to his confusion over the situation, stating, “This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on.”
He criticized the process of administering gender-affirming care to minors, asserting that it is “incredibly evil” and that proponents of such treatments deserve imprisonment. Musk, who has 12 children, voiced concerns about the implications of puberty blockers, which he alleges were misrepresented to him as merely sterilization drugs, highlighting that they do not directly affect fertility.
Musk’s remarks follow his announcement that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts school policies concerning transgender youth. Critics have previously accused Musk of transphobia and promoting anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a legal name change and new birth certificate, expressing a desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has cited her progressive schooling as a factor in their strained relationship, as discussed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the entrepreneur. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to embrace more right-wing views, particularly on issues related to diversity, election integrity, and immigration, most recently endorsing a Republican presidential ticket.