Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that he feels he has “lost” his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, following her decision to undergo gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” expressing his strong opposition to such procedures.
Musk explained that his daughter came out as transgender at the age of 16 and received gender-affirming treatment during the pandemic. He stated that he was “essentially tricked” into signing documents related to her care, expressing regret over not fully understanding the situation at the time. He mentioned concerns about her mental well-being, including fears that she might consider suicide.
The Tesla CEO criticized the practice of providing gender-affirming care to minors, asserting it is done to children who are “far below the age of consent” and labeling it as “incredibly evil.” He has also expressed his belief that those who support such treatments should be imprisoned.
Musk’s comments follow his recent announcement that Tesla and his other companies, including X and SpaceX, would relocate to Texas due to California’s AB1955 legislation. This law prohibits schools from informing parents when their child identifies as transgender and requires the state to offer resources to support LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2022, Wilson sought a name change and a new birth certificate, stating that she no longer wishes to be connected to her father in any manner. Musk has attributed his estrangement from Wilson to her progressive education in Los Angeles, claiming this has influenced her views and contributed to the distance in their relationship.
Over the years, Musk’s political stance has shifted significantly, as he has increasingly adopted conservative views on various issues such as diversity initiatives and immigration, even recently endorsing the Republican presidential ticket.