Elon Musk Moves for Full Custody Amid Gender Identity Dispute
Elon Musk has declared his intention to seek full custody of his young son with writer Ashley St. Clair. The billionaire cited serious concerns over St. Clair's recent public statements about gender identity. Musk made this announcement directly on his social media platform X.
Musk's Immediate Response to St. Clair's Comments
Musk responded to circulating posts about St. Clair's evolving views on transgender issues. He claimed her statements suggested she might consider gender transition for their one-year-old child. This prompted his immediate action.
"I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy," Musk wrote. No court filings confirming custody proceedings have surfaced publicly yet.
Background of the Public Dispute
St. Clair first publicly identified Musk as the father of her child in February last year. She revealed the birth on X after keeping it private for months to protect their child's privacy.
"Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father," she wrote. St. Clair explained she disclosed this information because tabloid media planned to reveal it anyway. She asked media to respect their child's privacy and ended her post with the Latin phrase "Alea lacta est" meaning "The die is cast."
Financial Strains and Public Accusations
Their relationship has played out publicly since that initial announcement. On March 31, St. Clair was filmed selling her Tesla. She claimed this became necessary after Musk reduced child support payments significantly.
"I need to make up for the 60 percent cut that Elon made to our son's child support," she told reporters. St. Clair added that others were also "cleaning up after his messes."
Hours later, Musk addressed the issue publicly for the first time. "I don't know if the child is mine or not, but am not against finding out," he wrote on X. "No court order is needed." Musk also claimed he had given St. Clair $2.5 million and would continue paying $500,000 annually.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
St. Clair responded directly, accusing Musk of refusing to confirm paternity through testing before their child's birth. She claimed he used financial pressure as leverage.
"Elon, we asked you to confirm paternity through a test before our child was even born. You refused," she wrote. St. Clair argued Musk wasn't sending her money but support for his child until he withdrew most of it to maintain control.
"But you're really only punishing your son," she added. St. Clair criticized Musk for trying to gag her in court while using his own social media platform to distribute derogatory messages about her and their child.
In later podcast appearances, St. Clair claimed Musk reduced monthly support payments from $100,000 to $40,000, then to $20,000. This left her under considerable financial strain.
The Apology That Reignited Conflict
Nearly ten months later, the dispute resurfaced after St. Clair issued a public apology for her past comments about the transgender community. She acknowledged harm and expressed remorse, appearing to reference Musk's transgender daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson.
"I feel immense guilt for my role. And even more guilt that things I have said in the past may have caused my son's sister more pain," she wrote. St. Clair added she had been trying hard privately to learn and advocate for those within the trans community she had hurt.
She expressed hesitation about speaking publicly, fearing her apology would be dismissed as insincere or motivated by being "scorned." Musk responded by reiterating his custody stance with the same message about filing for full custody.
Who Is Ashley St. Clair?
Ashley St. Clair is a conservative writer, political commentator and author. She gained prominence through her work with The Babylon Bee, a right-wing satirical outlet. St. Clair has amassed over one million followers online and previously endorsed Donald Trump.
She stepped down as a brand ambassador for Turning Point USA in 2019 after being photographed with white nationalist figures. St. Clair has also authored children's books including Elephants Are Not Birds, which critiques gender ideology.
Born on July 31, 1999, St. Clair has largely stayed out of the spotlight since allegedly giving birth in 2024. She attended Trump's election night party at Mar-a-Lago. Now she finds herself at the center of a high-profile custody dispute with one of the world's most powerful men.
Broader Context of Gender Identity Debates
The remarks came amid heightened political and cultural debates around gender identity. Musk has increasingly weighed in on this issue publicly, particularly in relation to his transgender daughter. This custody dispute represents another chapter in the ongoing public discussion about parenting, gender, and personal beliefs in modern society.
