Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Elon Musk has threatened to “substantially” reduce child support for the son he shares with Ashley St. Clair after the influencer sued the tech billionaire for sole custody of their baby, her attorney claims.
St. Clair, 26, who last month disclosed that she had given birth to the world’s richest man’s thirteenth child, filed a petition of custody with the New York Supreme Court in February.
In response to the lawsuit, St. Clair, a prominent MAGA figure, claimed that Musk attempted to attack her financially and silence her with a gag order.
“Elon Musk has financially retaliated against his child and reduced his financial support substantially and unilaterally,” her attorney Karen Rosenthal told People on Thursday. “He did this after Ashley was forced to bring this matter to court when he refused to respond to her many private attempts to resolve this matter without publicity.”
“At the same time, he filed an emergency application to gag Ashley and prevent her from communicating about his actions,” she added.

open image in gallery
Rosenthal said Musk’s gag order request—an attempt to restrict St. Clair from speaking publicly about the scenario—is still pending, but the judge denied the application because it was an emergency.
St. Clair has opposed the application to “preserve her right to speak out,” her attorney said.
Rosenthal urged Musk to administer the same transparency he dedicates to government in his private life.
Upon filing her petition on February 21 seeking sole custody of her child, who is known only as “RSC,” St. Clair also asked the court to compel Musk to submit a paternity test so he may be declared the father of the child, St. Clair’s representative Brian Glicklich previously confirmed to The Independent.
“Ashley St. Clair has filed paternity and custody petitions to protect the best interests of her child. She has made every effort to collaborate with Mr. Musk before taking this step,” he said.

open image in gallery
Musk is currently not named as the child’s father on his birth certificate.
The South African native has also not directly addressed St. Clair’s claims, though he responded with the single phrase “whoa” to an X post alleging that the woman had attempted to “ensnare” him for five years.
St. Clair claims she and Musk began a romantic relationship in May 2023 and conceived the child in January 2024 before giving birth in the autumn. She asserts she had no other sexual partners at the time.
On February 14, she posted an announcement on X about the child.
“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause,” it read.
According to last month’s filings, Musk chose not to be present for the birth of his child but did visit St. Clair and his newborn son for two hours, days after his birth.
In one text message exchange provided in the filing, Musk appeared to acknowledge his son while claiming it was “necessary” for his child not to have his last name for security reasons.
In another message where St. Clair attempted to reconcile the dispute with Musk, the tech entrepreneur mostly ignored her message but, per the filing, said: “We do have a legion of kids to make.”