Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his controversial views on gender-affirming care during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was “killed” by the consequences of receiving gender-affirming treatment, which he labeled as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at the age of 16 and began receiving care during the pandemic.
Musk stated that he felt misled when he signed documents related to his daughter’s care, mentioning that he was under significant pressure due to concerns that she might contemplate suicide. He criticized the medical process for young people who are not of consent age and concurred with Peterson’s views, declaring it “incredibly evil” and calling for imprisonment of those who advocate for such practices. Furthermore, Musk alleged that he was not informed that puberty blockers, often prescribed in such cases, were actually sterilization drugs, despite these medications not directly affecting fertility.
He also reflected on the impact of this situation on his sense of loss regarding his son, whom he believes no longer exists due to the name change associated with the transition. Musk’s remarks come after his declaration that his companies, including SpaceX and X, would relocate from California to Texas, partly motivated by the state’s laws surrounding parental notification when a child identifies as transgender.
Musk’s relationship with his daughter has been strained, highlighted by her application in 2022 for a name change to dissociate from him. He has attributed this estrangement to her education in a progressive school. Over recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left political views to adopt more right-wing perspectives on various issues, including endorsing candidates aligned with the Republican Party.