Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated in an interview that he feels he has “lost” his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, following her transition and the gender-affirming care she received. During the discussion with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization,” expressing strong disapproval of such procedures for minors.
Musk recounted that he was misled into consenting to medical treatments for his daughter when she was 16, amid the confusion and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that concerns over her potential suicide influenced his decision-making at the time, and now he believes children are being subjected to irreversible medical interventions without adequate understanding of the consequences.
The CEO claimed that the use of puberty blockers, which he described as sterilization drugs, was not properly explained to him. He expressed regret over the situation, saying, “I lost my son, essentially,” referencing the term “deadnaming,” which he argues illustrates the pain of losing a child to a gender identity change.
His comments followed a recent decision to relocate several of his companies, including X and SpaceX, to Texas, in opposition to California’s legislation that protects the rights of transgender students. Throughout his career, Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans rhetoric.
In 2022, Wilson legally changed her name and requested a birth certificate reflecting her new identity, distancing herself from her father. Musk, noted for shifting from center-left to right-wing perspectives in recent years, has publicly supported Republican candidates who align with his views on various social issues.