Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed his strong views on gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk described his estranged transgender daughter as being “killed” by the care she received, which he criticized as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He mentioned that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
Musk reflected on his own understanding of the situation, stating he felt misled into signing documents related to his daughter’s transition, and he emphasized his concerns about children undergoing such procedures before reaching the age of consent. He aligned with Peterson’s assertion that promoting gender-affirming care for minors is “incredibly evil,” suggesting that those who advocate for it should face imprisonment. Additionally, he claimed he was not informed that puberty blockers could be considered sterilization drugs.
Musk also shared his personal feelings about losing his son due to the name change his daughter underwent, which he referred to as “deadnaming.” His comments coincided with his announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas over concerns related to California’s laws regarding parental notification and LGBTQ+ support in schools.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she no longer wishes to be connected to her biological father. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to her progressive education in Los Angeles. His evolving political stance has increasingly moved towards conservative viewpoints, including his recent endorsements of Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.