Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed intense feelings regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating that she was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk spoke critically of gender-reassignment procedures, referring to them as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He disclosed that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, underwent gender-affirming care during the COVID-19 pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk recounted feeling “tricked” into signing documents related to his child’s transition, suggesting that he was misinformed about the implications of hormone treatments and surgeries. He mentioned a sense of confusion at the time given the pandemic circumstances and expressed concern for his child’s mental health, stating he was told she might be at risk of suicide.
He emphasized his belief that such medical interventions should not occur before the age of consent and aligned with Peterson’s assertion that promoting them is “incredibly evil,” even suggesting punitive measures for those who advocate for gender-affirming care. Musk, who has a total of 12 children, argued that he was not fully informed about puberty blockers, which he claimed operate as “sterilization drugs,” although these medications do not inherently affect fertility.
The comments come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender and mandates state support for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of promoting anti-trans narratives and has also previously expressed frustrations regarding his relationship with his daughter, who legally changed her name last year to erase ties to him.
Musk’s political stance appears to have shifted over recent years from a more moderate left to embracing right-wing viewpoints, openly supporting former President Donald Trump and candidates aligned with similar ideologies.