Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements regarding his estranged transgender daughter, claiming that her transition resulted in her being “killed.” These remarks were part of an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson that aired on Monday. Musk labeled gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and spoke about how his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, sought gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk revealed feelings of being misled into endorsing some of his daughter’s decisions, particularly mentioning “confusion” during the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health concerns that led him to believe she might be at risk of suicide. He expressed regret, stating that he feels he lost his son and criticized the practice of transitioning children who are not of legal age to consent, aligning himself with Peterson’s view that promoting such practices is “incredibly evil.”
In addition, Musk voiced his conviction that anyone advocating for these treatments should face prison time, asserting that he was unaware that puberty blockers were “actually just sterilization drugs,” despite the fact that these blockers do not directly affect fertility.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, would be relocating to Texas, influenced by California’s recent SAFETY Act legislation, which limits parental notification regarding a child’s transgender identity. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and anti-trans messaging in the past.
His daughter sought a name change in 2022, stating in court filings that she wished to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed the distance in their relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles. His estrangement from Wilson has been cited as a driving factor behind his recent right-wing political stances, including his criticism of diversity initiatives and endorsements of Republican candidates.