Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial remarks regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This comment was aired during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and expressed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 after receiving care during the pandemic.
Musk revealed that he felt misled into signing documents concerning Wilson’s care, stating, “I was essentially tricked.” He emphasized that at the time, he was under the impression that his child was at risk of suicide. He criticized the procedures involving minors, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that it is “incredibly evil” and suggested that anyone promoting such actions should face imprisonment. Musk, who has 12 children, also claimed he was not adequately informed about the implications of puberty blockers, which he erroneously described as “sterilization drugs.”
Expressing his grief, Musk stated, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the term “deadnaming” used in the transgender community, which signifies the loss of a previous identity.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas due to California’s SAFETY Act, which prohibits schools from telling parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates the provision of resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced allegations of transphobia and has been criticized for his anti-trans sentiments.
In 2022, Wilson applied for a name change and new birth certificate, indicating that she no longer wished to be associated with her biological father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to the progressive education system in Los Angeles, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of him. The book suggests that the strained relationship with Wilson has influenced Musk’s recent anti-woke rhetoric.
Over recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously moderate political stance to adopt more right-wing viewpoints, encompassing issues related to diversity, election fraud, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.