Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his deep concerns regarding the gender-affirming care received by his estranged daughter, stating that it led to her being “killed.” In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” highlighting his belief that such procedures are harmful.
Musk discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who publicly came out as transgender at 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling misled, claiming he was pressured into signing documents concerning her care without fully comprehending the implications at the time. He expressed his belief that this treatment is often given to minors who are not of legal age to consent, aligning his view with Peterson’s that these practices are “incredibly evil” and should be punishable by imprisonment.
The entrepreneur claimed that he was not adequately informed about the use of puberty blockers, which he described as “sterilization drugs,” though it is important to note that puberty blockers do not inherently affect fertility. Musk lamented, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the practice known as “deadnaming,” which he believes symbolizes the loss of his relationship with his child.
These remarks follow Musk’s decision to relocate his companies, including X and SpaceX, to Texas in reaction to California legislation, the SAFETY Act, which prevents schools from mandating parental notification if a child identifies as transgender. He has faced accusations of transphobia for his public statements and actions.
In 2022, his daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, citing her desire to sever connections with her father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive schooling, suggesting that this rift has influenced his anti-woke rhetoric. Over the past few years, Musk has shifted from center-left politics to adopt right-leaning stances, engaging with topics such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he publicly endorsed the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom oppose clean energy initiatives.