Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” after receiving gender-affirming care. This revelation came during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Musk described gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” and he indicated that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, received such care during the pandemic, revealing her transgender identity at the age of 16.
Musk shared that he felt misled into signing documents related to his child’s care, which he claims occurred before he fully understood the situation, amid the confusion of the pandemic. He mentioned concerns regarding his daughter’s mental health and suicide risks at that time.
He argued that the procedures often occur for minors who are not yet of legal consent, agreeing with Peterson’s assertion that promoting these practices is “incredibly evil” and should be punishable by imprisonment. Musk, a father of 12, stated that he was not made aware of the implications of puberty blockers, which he described as sterilization drugs. However, health experts clarify that puberty blockers do not directly affect fertility.
Musk lamented, “I was tricked into doing this. I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.”
These statements come shortly after Musk announced that his companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, or the SAFETY Act. This legislation restricts schools from mandating parental notifications regarding transgender identifications and aims to provide resources for LGBTQ+ children. Musk has faced repeated accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans messages over the years.
In 2022, his daughter sought a legal name change and a new birth certificate, expressing her desire to sever all ties with Musk. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk believes that his strained relationship with Wilson stems from her education in a progressive school in Los Angeles, which he attributes to his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Musk, who previously leaned center-left in his political views, has increasingly aligned himself with right-leaning ideologies, particularly regarding issues such as diversity, election integrity, and immigration. He recently endorsed the Republican presidential ticket, backing former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom support the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.