Elon Musk has found himself at the center of a heated dispute with conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair, who claims to have given birth to the billionaire’s 13th child.
The public clash erupted on social media, with accusations flying over child support payments and Musk’s alleged refusal to take a paternity test. Musk, 53, took to X, the platform he owns, to respond to St. Clair’s allegations on Monday. “I don’t know if the child is mine or not, but am not against finding out,” Musk posted. “No court order is needed.”
He also stated that despite the uncertainty, he had given St. Clair $2.5 million and continued to send $500,000 annually in support.
St. Clair, who says she is 26 despite various reports suggesting otherwise, swiftly fired back, calling Musk a “petulant man-child” and accusing him of using financial leverage to control her.
“Elon, we asked you to confirm paternity through a test before our child (who you named) was even born. You refused,” she wrote. She also alleged that Musk had withdrawn much of the financial support as a means of “punishment” for what she called her “disobedience.”
The controversy escalated when a video surfaced showing St. Clair selling her Tesla Model S for $100,000. In the footage, she claimed she was selling the vehicle to compensate for what she described as a 60 percent reduction in child support payments from Musk.
When asked by paparazzi if she viewed Musk’s financial moves as “vindictive,” she replied, “Well, that’s his modus operandi, when women speak out.”
The dispute over paternity took a legal turn last month when St. Clair filed a petition in Manhattan Supreme Court demanding Musk submit to a DNA test, the New York Post reported.
She asserts that their child was conceived during a January 2024 trip to St. Barts, adding that Musk has seen the baby on three occasions. The court filing also includes a photograph of Musk holding the infant.
St. Clair’s allegations have sparked sharp reactions from both supporters and critics. Some conservative figures have questioned her credibility and motivations, with right-wing activist Laura Loomer labeling her a “gold digger and professional gaslighter.” Others argue that Musk should take a paternity test to settle the dispute once and for all.
St. Clair, who previously worked for The Babylon Bee, a satirical conservative media outlet, has defended herself against claims that she is seeking financial gain.
She insists that she was instructed to keep her pregnancy a secret and felt “completely isolated” as a result, per the Post. Since going public, she has faced backlash from some within the MAGA movement, who have accused her of leveraging her association with Musk for personal benefit.
Adding another layer to the controversy, St. Clair took a jab at Musk’s electric vehicle company amid its recent struggles. “You can check the stocks, I’m not the only one who is cleaning up after his messes,” she remarked, referring to Tesla’s declining stock prices and ongoing political controversies surrounding the billionaire’s ventures.
Despite the ongoing dispute, the Post highlighted that neither Musk nor his representatives have publicly stated whether he will comply with the court petition and take a paternity test.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and several other high-profile companies, has frequently made headlines for his personal life, including his relationships and children. This latest dispute adds to a growing list of public controversies surrounding his family dynamics.
St. Clair’s case differs from previous claims due to her prominent social media presence and willingness to challenge Musk directly in a public forum.
