Elon Musk's baby mama, Ashley St. Clair, has torn into the controversial billionaire over his recent anti-trans post, escalating a very public family feud. St. Clair, who gave birth to Musk's son Romulus in September 2024, used her platform to beg Musk to stop targeting his own child with harmful rhetoric.
On Sunday, May 17, Musk took to his X account to respond to a user who had quoted his earlier statement: "I vowed to destroy the woke mind virus." Musk replied: "The woke mind virus killed my son." This was a direct reference to his transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson, who changed her name and gender in 2022. St. Clair, who is not the mother of Vivian, felt compelled to intervene.
Ashley St. Clair's Emotional Plea
St. Clair slammed Musk, writing: "Stop tweeting about your children in this way! This is just not ok and IMO a promotion of violence against trans individuals." She then claimed that whenever Musk tweeted about her, threats against her family increased. "Elon is aware that he has this impact, particularly on those he posts negatively about," she continued. "The guy has a 24/7 army of security."
St. Clair went further: "Now why in the f-- when you know this would you repeatedly harass and target your OWN CHILD on the platform you own? I am just sick of this s---. I am sick of pretending like any of this is ok. I am sick that I enabled individuals who think it's acceptable for a grown a-- man to endanger the life of his child because he is so angry at this adult child having a life of her own."
Background: Musk's Estrangement from Vivian
Elon Musk's relationship with his transgender daughter Vivian has been fraught for years. In 2022, Vivian Wilson changed her name and gender, legally cutting ties with her father. Musk has repeatedly made disparaging comments about her, blaming her education at the Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in California for what he calls the "woke mind virus." During an interview with biographer Walter Isaacson in 2023, Musk raged: "She went beyond socialism to being a full communist and thinking that anyone rich is evil." In a conversation with Jordan Peterson, Musk said he had "lost my son" and that Wilson was "dead."
Vivian herself has hit back, calling Musk a "pathetic man-child" in an interview with Teen Vogue. She said: "Ohhh, he has so much power. Nah, nah, nah. I don’t give a f---. Why should I be scared of this man? Because he’s rich? Oh, no, I’m trembling. Ooh, shivering in my boots here."
St. Clair's Past and Changing Views
St. Clair herself has a complicated history with transgender issues. Earlier this year, Musk announced he would file for full custody of their son Romulus, citing St. Clair's "statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy." St. Clair had previously been accused of "blatant transphobia" in her past. In response, she wrote on X: "I feel immense guilt for my role, and even more guilt that things I have said in the past may have caused my son's sister more pain," seemingly referring to Vivian. "I have been trying incredibly hard privately to learn + advocate for those within the trans community that I've hurt."
This shift in St. Clair's stance appears to have put her at odds with Musk, who has become increasingly vocal against transgender rights and what he calls the "woke mind virus." Musk's anti-trans rhetoric has drawn widespread criticism, especially given his own family situation.
Musk's History with Anti-Trans Remarks
This is not the first time Musk has made inflammatory statements about transgender people. He has used his massive platform on X to amplify anti-trans content, including mocking gender pronouns and suggesting that gender-affirming care is harmful. In 2023, he tweeted that "cisgender" is a slur. His comments have been condemned by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that his influence can incite real-world violence against transgender individuals.
The United Nations has noted that transgender people, especially young people of color, face disproportionately high rates of violence and harassment. Public figures with millions of followers have a responsibility to consider the impact of their words, experts say. Musk's daughter Vivian is a young transgender woman, making his attacks deeply personal.
The Custody Battle Over Romulus
The ongoing feud between St. Clair and Musk is also playing out in court. Musk filed for custody of Romulus in early 2025, accusing St. Clair of being an unfit mother because of her views. St. Clair has denied any intention to transition her son, calling Musk's claims a smear campaign. The case has drawn intense media attention, with both sides using social media to make their case.
St. Clair's latest outburst suggests she is unwilling to stay silent while Musk continues to target their family. She ended her recent posts by saying Musk is "just mad that Vivian is a million times cooler than he will ever be. Stop putting hits on her head."
Broader Implications
This family drama reflects a larger societal debate about gender identity, parental rights, and the influence of billionaire-owned social media platforms. Musk's control of X allows him to reach millions directly, and his rhetoric can shape public discourse. Critics argue that his attacks on his own daughter exemplify the harm that can come from unchecked power.
St. Clair's decision to speak out may encourage other parents in similar situations to advocate for their children, even when facing a powerful adversary. The question remains whether Musk will change his approach or continue to escalate the conflict.
As of now, neither Musk nor his representatives have responded publicly to St. Clair's latest comments. The custody battle and the emotional wounds on both sides are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Source: AOL.com News