Author Ashley St. Clair sues Elon Musk for custody of newborn son

She submitted the petition to the New York Supreme Court on Feb. 21, stating that New York is the child’s home state, People reported. The child, identified as R.S.C., was born in September 2024.

St. Clair alleges Musk was absent at the birth and "has met him only three (3) times and has had no involvement in his care and upbringing." She also filed a separate paternity petition alongside the custody request.

According to her petition, she and Musk began a "romantic relationship in or about May 2023," and she became pregnant in January 2024. She claims Musk "acknowledged parentage of the child in various written correspondences," including a text exchange after R.S.C.'s birth.

Conservative influencer and author Ashley St. Clair. Photo from X

She says she sent Musk a photo of their newborn, to which he allegedly replied, "I look forward to seeing you and him this weekend." A screenshot of the exchange was included in the filing.

In another alleged message, Musk reportedly said, "I get credible death threats every day," adding, "If I make a mistake on security, [R.S.C.] will never know his father." St. Clair claims this statement further confirms Musk’s acknowledgment of paternity.

She states Musk met their son for the first time on Sept. 21, 2024, spending two hours with him, followed by a one-hour visit the next day. The last time Musk saw R.S.C. was on Nov. 30, 2024, for 30 minutes, she claims.

St. Clair also alleges Musk texted her twice, suggesting they have more children together.

"Ashley St. Clair has filed paternity and custody petitions to protect the best interests of her child," her representative, Brian Glickich, told People. "She has made every effort to collaborate with Mr. Musk before taking this step. She has no further comment on the contents of the petitions, which speak for themselves."

People has reached out to Musk’s representatives and attorneys for comment.

Billionaire Elon Musk. Photo from X

St. Clair, born in Florida and raised in Colorado, is known for her conservative views. She authored the 2021 children’s book "Elephants Are Not Birds," which she described as an "unapologetic rebuke of transgender acceptance." She has appeared on Fox News and other conservative media discussing America’s declining birth rate, according to the New York Post.

She has contributed to The Babylon Bee, a right-wing satire website, and previously worked as a brand ambassador for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA before resigning in 2019, First Post reported.

On Feb. 15, she stirred online debate after posting: "Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father."

Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, is the world’s richest man, with a net worth of US$394.2 billion.

He and his first wife, Justine Wilson, had six children, though their first, born in 2002, died of sudden infant death syndrome. He has three more children with singer Grimes and another three with Neuralink operations director Shivon Zilis.

On Feb. 21, Musk’s ex-girlfriend, Canadian singer and producer Grimes, publicly called on him to address their child's urgent "medical crisis," accusing him of ignoring her messages, according to the New York Post. Musk has yet to respond to the claim.