Ashley St. Clair, the conservative influencer, has taken her legal battle with Elon Musk to new heights, filing petitions for paternity and sole custody of their five-month-old son, R.S.C., at the Manhattan Supreme Court on February 21, 2025. The tech mogul, known for his leadership roles at SpaceX and Tesla, has been ordered to appear before the court on May 29, 2025, as the legal dispute intensifies.
St. Clair, 26, claims she gave birth to Musk’s 13th child last September, asserting they conceived the child during a vacation to St. Barths in January 2024. Following her public announcement of the child's birth on Valentine’s Day, the legal action ensued, seeking to legally recognize Musk as the father. She has requested the court mandate genetic testing to confirm paternity.
According to St. Clair’s attorney, Karen B. Rosenthal, Musk has delayed the legal proceedings by failing to acknowledge the filings either personally or through legal representation. "Despite requests, Mr. Musk has still not accepted service of the motion papers via his alleged attorneys, which is easy enough to do," explained Rosenthal. She emphasized the unnecessary distress caused by Musk’s lack of response, highlighting the urgency needed due to the child’s welfare.
Musk is said to have met his son just three times since his birth—twice when visiting Manhattan and once during a brief trip to Texas. St. Clair contends Musk has shown little interest in the child's upbringing and has not been involved significantly since the birth. "I look forward to seeing you and him this weekend," Musk reportedly texted St. Clair after the child’s birth, responding to her message, "He is perfect." Yet, her petition paints a picture of paternal absence, stating Musk was not present for the delivery and has not actively sought out visits or updates about R.S.C.
Legal arguments also include jurisdictional issues, with St. Clair's team asserting the case should be treated under New York law, where she currently lives. "It should be noted no attorney has opted in to the NYSCEF system claiming they represent Mr. Musk," Rosenthal reiterated, underlining the complications of serving Musk at other high-profile locations like the White House.
St. Clair’s petitions add more complexity to Musk's personal life, as he is already a father to twelve other children with three different women. His previous partnerships have shaped public perception of his parenting responsibilities, especially with recent developments involving Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, with whom Musk shares twins. The prospect of another custody battle adds to Musk's already high-profile existence.
St. Clair's past reveals another layer to her situation; she was reportedly involved in another custody dispute over her first son, whose father's identity remains undisclosed. This additional intricacy showcases her tumultuous path through motherhood amid rising fame and controversy.
Alongside her custody filings, St. Clair provided exchanges of light-hearted yet provocative text messages between herself and Musk. One such message saw him text, "I want to knock you up again," after St. Clair shared photos with her newborn. These exchanges serve as informal evidence of their relationship, which she hopes will sway the court's decision.
According to court documents, St. Clair maintains the importance of having sole custody, believing it is the child's best interest. Her case, presided over by Judge Jeffrey H. Pearlman, will also assess whether Musk will be ordered to pay child support, as the financial responsibilities of parenthood loom large.
With Musk being one of the most notable figures globally, this custody dispute is drawing significant attention, both for its personal stakes and broader implications about parental rights and responsibilities. St. Clair’s request for privacy to raise her children away from media scrutiny highlights the challenges faced by public figures trying to navigate their private lives.
While the legal proceedings continue, the public remains invested in the outcome, particularly as it concerns Musk, who has openly expressed his views about the necessity of larger families for societal growth. The addition of R.S.C. not only increases Musk's number of offspring but also heightens the scrutiny surrounding his parenting capabilities.
The upcoming court appearance on May 29 will potentially bring to light more details about the custody fight and Musk’s role as a father. Observers await to see how this high-profile dispute will evolve, especially with the media’s watchful eye on every development. The path forward will undoubtedly be complex, intertwining personal history with the legal framework required to establish and uphold parental duties.
The stakes are high not only for Musk and St. Clair but also for their child, whose future depends heavily on this court's judgments. How the parties navigate this judicial terrain will influence the personal lives involved and the public perception of both parents.