Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, claiming she was “killed” following her gender-affirming care. This statement was made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson.
Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization” while expressing his belief that the care provided to Wilson, particularly during the pandemic when she was 16, was misguided. He stated that he felt “tricked” into signing documents related to her care, emphasizing that he was misled about the potential risks involved, which he believed could lead to suicide.
He also criticized the use of puberty blockers, saying he was not adequately informed that they could have sterilizing effects. Musk argued that such procedures should not be performed on children who are not yet of consenting age, describing the promotion of these practices as “incredibly evil” and suggesting that those responsible should face imprisonment.
Musk’s comments come in the wake of his decision to relocate his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas in response to California’s legislation regarding parental notification for transgender-identifying children. He has faced accusations in the past of fostering anti-trans sentiments.
In court documents filed in 2022, Wilson sought to change her name and stated that she wished to sever ties with her father completely. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to her progressive schooling. Furthermore, Musk’s shift towards increasingly right-wing rhetoric has been noted, particularly in relation to issues such as diversity and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, aligning himself with former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.