Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial statements regarding his transgender daughter, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This remark was made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk, who oversees multiple companies including X, described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk referred to his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who came out as transgender at 16 and received care during the pandemic. He shared that he felt he was misled into signing legal documents concerning her transition, stating that he was unaware of the implications at the time and was told it was a matter of preventing her from potentially committing suicide.
He criticized the practice of administering such treatments to minors, expressing agreement with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that advocates for these treatments deserve imprisonment. Musk claimed that puberty blockers, which are often used in gender transition, were presented to him as harmless, although he noted that they could lead to sterilization.
Musk expressed deep personal sorrow over the situation, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” in reference to the effects of “deadnaming,” which he described as a term reflecting the loss of his relationship with Wilson.
His comments come on the heels of his announcement that several of his companies would relocate to Texas, citing California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act, which includes provisions related to the rights of transgender students. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia in the past, and this latest incident has reignited discussions about his political shift towards right-wing ideologies.
Musk’s daughter changed her name and sought a new birth certificate in 2022, indicating she wanted to sever ties with Musk entirely. His estrangement from her has been linked to his increasingly vocal opposition to progressive values, as described in a biography by Walter Isaacson. In light of recent events, Musk has also shown support for the Republican party’s presidential candidates, reflecting his shift in political alignment.