Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired on Monday, Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He noted that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk expressed feelings of being misled into signing documents related to his child’s transition, stating that he was unaware of the implications at the time due to the confusion surrounding COVID-19. He claimed he was told that Wilson might be a suicide risk, which influenced his decisions.
The Tesla CEO criticized the practice of providing such care to minors “far below the age of consent,” agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and asserting that those who promote it should face imprisonment. Musk also mentioned that he was never informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, although these medications by themselves do not impact fertility.
He expressed deep emotional pain over the situation, saying, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially.” Musk highlighted the term ‘deadnaming,’ explaining that it signifies the loss of his child’s previous identity.
These statements come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from mandating parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change, stating in court documents that she wished to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, as detailed in Walter Isaacson’s biography, suggesting that his strained relationship with Wilson has fueled his anti-woke sentiments.
Musk, who previously held center-left political views, has increasingly adopted right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom oppose clean energy initiatives.