Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed his deep disapproval of gender-affirming care, claiming it led to the loss of his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He stated that his daughter received gender-affirming care during the pandemic after coming out as transgender at the age of 16.
Musk claimed he was misled into signing documents regarding his daughter’s transition, citing confusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about her mental well-being. He criticized the medical procedures available to children he believes are below the age of consent, labeling them as “incredibly evil.” Musk also asserted that he was not informed that puberty blockers could function as sterilization drugs, though medical professionals clarify that these blockers do not independently affect fertility.
In his comments, Musk expressed a sense of loss regarding his daughter, who no longer uses his last name, stating that “the reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.” His remarks have surfaced shortly after he disclosed a move of several of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, from California to Texas, partly in response to a new California law concerning transgender youth.
Wilson applied for a name change in 2022, indicating she sought to sever ties with Musk entirely. In Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, he is quoted as attributing the distance in their relationship to the influence of her progressive school.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left views to adopting more right-wing stances on various issues, including diversity initiatives and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.