Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his distress over his estranged transgender daughter’s experience with gender-affirming care, claiming that it led him to feel as though she had been “killed.” His remarks were made during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, which aired recently. Musk, who oversees several companies including X, referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” highlighting that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, came out as transgender at the age of 16.
During the interview, Musk mentioned feeling misled when he consented to documents regarding Wilson’s care, which took place during the pandemic amid significant confusion and concern for her wellbeing. He recounted being informed that his child was at risk of suicide, which influenced his decisions at that time.
Musk criticized the procedures performed on minors who are under the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that such actions are “incredibly evil.” He stated that those advocating for these measures should face imprisonment. Musk also claimed that he was not made aware that puberty blockers could lead to sterilization, despite the fact that puberty blockers themselves do not directly impact fertility.
He lamented the loss of his son, stating, “They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason” and emphasized his feeling that his son was effectively gone. Musk’s comments arrive shortly after he announced plans for X and SpaceX to relocate to Texas, citing his opposition to California’s SAFETY Act, which restricts schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender and mandates resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, expressing her desire to disconnect from her biological father completely. Musk has attributed their strained relationship to the progressive schooling in Los Angeles that Wilson attended, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography, which suggests that Musk’s sentiments against “wokeness” are rooted in his relationship with her.
Musk has shifted politically over recent years, moving from center-left views to aligning more closely with right-wing ideologies, touching on topics like diversity initiatives, election integrity, and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both known for their support of fossil fuels and opposition to clean energy initiatives.