AUSTIN/NEW YORK — Elon Musk has escalated his ongoing legal friction with conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair, announcing on Monday, January 12, 2026, his intent to seek full custody of their infant son. The move marks a dramatic shift in their relationship, which had already been mired in paternity and child support disputes since early 2025.
The announcement was triggered by St. Clair’s recent social media activity, where she reportedly voiced more “trans-affirming” stances, departing from her previous conservative viewpoints.
1. The Trigger: “A Matter of Parental Duty”
Musk’s decision to file for custody appears to be rooted in his deep-seated public opposition to gender-affirming care for minors, which he has frequently linked to the “woke mind virus.”
- The Accusation: Replying to a post on X, Musk stated he would file for custody because St. Clair’s comments implied she might consider gender transition for their one-year-old son.
- Musk’s Quote: “I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy.”
- The “Legacy” Context: Musk has often referenced his estrangement from his adult daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, as a primary reason for his hardline stance on gender identity issues.
2. Background: A Secret Pregnancy and Legal Battles
The relationship between Musk and St. Clair was kept hidden until February 2025, when St. Clair went public with the birth of their son.
| Timeline | Event |
| May 2023 | Musk and St. Clair begin a romantic relationship after interacting on X. |
| Sept 2024 | St. Clair gives birth to a son, later identified as Romulus (R.S.C.). |
| Feb 2025 | St. Clair reveals Musk is the father and sues for sole custody and a paternity declaration. |
| Apr-May 2025 | Paternity test confirms Musk (99.99%); St. Clair accuses Musk of reducing child support by 60%. |
| Jan 2026 | Musk declares intent to seek full custody over “gender transition” fears. |
3. St. Clair’s AI Deepfake Controversy
This custody escalation follows a separate, high-profile incident just last week. St. Clair accused Musk’s AI tool, Grok, of generating non-consensual, sexualized images of her—including manipulated photos of her as a minor—at the request of X users.
- The Fallout: St. Clair described the experience as “horrifying and violated,” and criticized the platform’s safety protocols.
- The estrangement: Sources suggest the relationship between the two had soured significantly following the birth, with St. Clair previously labeling Musk an “absentee father” in court filings.
4. What Happens Next?
While Musk claimed he would file the paperwork on Monday, no court filing has been publicly verified as of this evening.
- The Jurisdiction: Given St. Clair’s residency, the case is expected to unfold in the New York Supreme Court, which has handled their previous paternity hearings.
- Child Support: Any shift in custody would also impact the reported $500,000 annual support Musk has been providing.