Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his deep concerns about gender-affirming care for minors, particularly in relation to his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk referred to the care his daughter received as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and stated that he feels he was misled into consenting to medical procedures without fully understanding their implications.
Musk shared that Wilson, who came out as transgender at age 16, received gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added to the confusion surrounding the decision. He claimed he was told that his child might be at risk of suicide, leading him to sign the necessary documents.
The billionaire, who has fathered 12 children, insisted that the medical procedures performed on children are wrong, stating they were done to individuals too young to give consent. Musk echoed Peterson’s sentiments, calling the promotion of these treatments “incredibly evil” and suggested that those advocating for them should face imprisonment. He also claimed that he was unaware that puberty blockers were, in his view, equivalent to sterilization drugs, though it is noted that puberty blockers alone do not have that effect on long-term fertility.
In a poignant reflection, Musk stated, “I lost my son, essentially,” referring to the process of “deadnaming,” which he believes symbolizes the loss of his son’s identity.
These comments come shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would be relocating to Texas, citing California’s AB1955 legislation, which restricts schools from notifying parents if their child identifies as transgender. Musk has faced numerous accusations of promoting anti-trans narratives over the years.
Wilson made headlines in 2022 when she sought a name change, indicating in court documents her desire to sever ties with Musk completely. The strained relationship is noted as a significant factor contributing to Musk’s increasingly right-leaning political views, which have diverged from his previously more centrist positions.