Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, expressed controversial views regarding his estranged transgender daughter, stating during an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson that she was “killed” following her receipt of gender-affirming care. Musk described this care as “child mutilation and sterilization,” highlighting his discontent with the procedures involved. His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received care during the pandemic.
Musk claimed he felt misled into consenting to medical procedures for Wilson without fully understanding them, particularly when he was told that she might be at risk of suicide. He criticized the practice of administering such treatments to minors, asserting that anyone who advocates for it should face imprisonment, labeling the actions as “incredibly evil.”
In his remarks, Musk reflected on the deep personal impact this has had on him, stating, “I lost my son, essentially,” a reference to what he considers his child’s transformation following her transition. His comments coincided with his announcement that he would relocate his companies, including X and SpaceX, to Texas in response to California’s SAFETY Act, which protects the rights of transgender youth.
Vivian applied for a name change last year, explicitly stating in court documents her desire to sever ties with her father. Musk has attributed the deterioration of their relationship to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, and this estrangement has been suggested as a factor in his increasingly right-wing rhetoric.
Musk’s political views have shifted in recent years, moving from center-left positions to endorsing right-wing issues and candidates, including recent support for former President Donald Trump.