Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed strong criticism regarding gender-affirming care for children, stating that he feels he has “lost” his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. During an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk claimed that his daughter was “killed” by the care she received, labeling gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He recounted how, during the pandemic, he felt pressured to support his daughter’s transition because of concerns about her mental health.
Musk indicated that he was misled into signing documents related to his child’s care before fully understanding the implications. He emphasized his belief that such medical procedures should not be performed on minors who are not of consenting age, echoing Peterson’s sentiments that promoting these procedures is “incredibly evil.”
He also argued that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers, which are often used in gender transition treatments, could lead to permanent sterilization. Musk lamented the loss of his son, stating that the terminology used in these discussions, like “deadnaming,” signifies a permanent loss.
These comments from Musk follow his recent announcement that his companies, including X and SpaceX, will relocate to Texas, partly motivated by opposition to California’s AB1955 legislation, which provides protections and resources for transgender youth. Musk’s relationship with Wilson has been complicated, with her filing for a name change and expressing a desire to disassociate from him entirely.
In recent years, Musk has shifted from center-left political views to adopt more right-wing positions, especially regarding topics like diversity initiatives and immigration. He has also publicly endorsed Republican candidates, aligning himself with figures who advocate against clean energy.