Ashley St. Clair, the 26-year-old author and social media influencer, is once again in the spotlight, this time for her candid revelations about her financial struggles and ongoing legal battle with tech billionaire Elon Musk. Known for her bold opinions and controversial claims, St. Clair recently shared an intimate video about her life’s hardships, including the drastic step of selling her Tesla to make ends meet while fighting a high-profile custody battle for her son, Romulus, whom she claims was fathered by Musk.

The video, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on August 18, 2025, serves as the first episode of her newly launched podcast, Bad Advice. St. Clair’s frankness about her dire situation resonated with viewers, as she described the tough year she had, which included a series of career missteps and financial instability.

“A Year of Mistakes and Uncertainty”

In the 30-minute video, St. Clair opened up about the challenges she faced over the past year. “After a year of self-sabotage, making many poor decisions, and leaving a void on my LinkedIn that I can’t explain, I decided to give podcasting a try,” she said, addressing her audience with both humor and vulnerability. “If I wasn’t doing a podcast, I honestly don’t know what else I’d be doing… probably joining a pyramid scheme,” she added, using sarcasm to lighten the heavy mood.

St. Clair didn’t shy away from discussing her financial difficulties either. She revealed that she was on the verge of being “kicked out of her house” due to her inability to cover basic living expenses. The situation was dire, and the only offer she had received at that point was a $10,000 deal from an online platform to promote products. This financial instability, combined with her struggles in the entertainment industry, left her feeling vulnerable.

“I didn’t start this podcast because I think I have the answers,” St. Clair admitted, giving a candid disclaimer about her own flaws. “Honestly, I have a lot of bad thoughts, so think of this podcast as more of a warning than advice.”

The Secret Baby and Custody Battle

Despite her struggles, the real drama surrounding St. Clair has been her high-profile legal battle with Elon Musk. In February 2025, St. Clair shocked the public by revealing that she had given birth to a son named Romulus, fathered by Musk. According to her, the child was born in September 2024 in New York, and she had kept the news secret until now.

This revelation quickly became the focal point of media coverage, not only due to Musk’s involvement but also because of the contentious nature of their relationship. St. Clair is currently in the midst of a legal dispute with Musk over custody of Romulus. She filed a lawsuit demanding full custody, claiming that Musk had unilaterally cut off financial support for her and the child.

St. Clair alleges that Musk’s actions were retaliatory, suggesting that he was punishing her—and by extension, their son—because she refused to comply with his demands regarding their relationship and the confidentiality of their son’s existence. In her court filing, she accused Musk of using his wealth and power to harm her and the child.

In response, Musk denied her accusations, claiming he had provided substantial financial support. “I have given $2.5 million and $500,000 annually in child support,” Musk stated on X, though he has not yet confirmed his biological relationship with Romulus. St. Clair quickly rebutted his comments, claiming that Musk’s financial contributions were limited to what he deemed “necessary,” and that he had reduced the support as a means of punishing her.

The Financial Strain: Selling Her Tesla

One of the more shocking details St. Clair shared in her video was her decision to sell her Tesla car. The car, which was a gift from Musk himself, became a symbol of the financial strain she was under.

“I had no choice but to sell the car,” she said, speaking candidly about her decision. “It was either that or risk losing my home. I needed the money, and the Tesla was the only thing I could liquidate quickly.”

This move not only underscored the gravity of her situation but also added a layer of drama to the ongoing narrative involving Musk. Selling a Tesla, a brand that has become synonymous with Musk’s success, seemed to add a sense of irony to her financial troubles. For St. Clair, it was a heartbreaking decision, but one she felt was necessary for her and her child’s survival.

Rejection of the $15 Million Payout

St. Clair also revealed that she had rejected a $15 million offer from Musk to keep their child’s existence a secret. According to St. Clair, Musk had insisted on keeping the birth of Romulus under wraps and offered her a significant sum of money to maintain silence. She turned down the offer, citing her desire to raise her son openly and to have control over her own life.

“I could have taken the money and lived comfortably, but that would have meant sacrificing my integrity and my future,” St. Clair stated in the video. “I wanted to do things my way, and I wasn’t about to let anyone—especially Musk—dictate my choices.”

This rejection added fuel to the fire of their ongoing legal battle, with St. Clair’s decision becoming a pivotal moment in the public’s perception of both her and Musk.

St. Clair’s Growing Influence

Beyond her personal life, St. Clair is also known for her conservative views and social media influence. With over one million followers, she has built a strong online presence, advocating for issues such as low birth rates in wealthy nations and conservative family values. She has appeared on numerous television shows and podcasts, where she often discusses political and social issues.

In addition to her political commentary, St. Clair has also written a children’s book, Elephants Are Not Birds, which was released in 2023. The book, which explores the themes of identity and self-acceptance, has been well-received by conservative audiences.

Elon Musk’s Complex Family Life

Musk, for his part, has long been known for his complicated personal life. In addition to Romulus, he has 13 other children with three different women: his ex-wife Justine Wilson, singer Grimes, and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. Most recently, Zilis confirmed that she had given birth to Musk’s fourth child, bringing his total number of children to 14.

With Musk’s sprawling family and his history of controversial decisions, the legal dispute between him and St. Clair has become just one chapter in a broader saga of family, power, and secrecy.

A Complex Story with No Resolution

As of now, the legal battle between Ashley St. Clair and Elon Musk shows no signs of letting up. What began as a personal dispute has now evolved into a highly publicized drama, with St. Clair’s finances, career, and relationship with Musk all playing out under the global spotlight. Whether St. Clair will emerge victorious in her custody battle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this story is far from over.