Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming that she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, broadcast on Monday, Musk expressed his condemnation of gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson, who came out as transgender at the age of 16, underwent gender-affirming procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk stated that he felt misled into signing documents regarding Wilson’s gender transition, emphasizing that he was unaware of the implications at the time. He recalled being told that his child might contemplate suicide, which contributed to his decision. He voiced his belief that such medical procedures are performed on children who are underage and described the promotion of these treatments as “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who advocate for them should be imprisoned.
Additionally, Musk claimed he was not fully informed that puberty blockers are effectively sterilization drugs, despite the fact that these treatments do not directly impact fertility. He expressed a sense of loss, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” and referred to the term “deadnaming” to articulate his feelings about his daughter’s transition.
These comments surfaced shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act (AB1955), which restricts school policies regarding parental notification for transgender-identifying children. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messaging in the past.
Wilson, in 2022, sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, stating her desire to sever ties with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests that this relationship strain has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke” rhetoric.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from centrist politics to adopting more right-leaning perspectives, particularly on topics such as diversity initiatives and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket featuring former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for supporting fossil fuel interests and opposing clean energy efforts.