The controversy began when Ashley St. Clair, a former conservative influencer who has recently shifted away from the “right-wing bubble,” posted an Instagram story featuring Benny Johnson’s photo accompanied by a multicolor flag and the song “Gay.” The post sparked immediate speculation across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with many interpreting it as a direct implication regarding Johnson’s sexuality.
The Root of the Conflict
St. Clair claimed her outburst was a response to Johnson making derogatory comments about her and her child.
The “Receipts”: In a direct video address, St. Clair claimed she has been “sitting on receipts” regarding Johnson’s “sociopathic behavior,” business operations, and what she termed his “grift.”
The Telegram Chats: She warned Johnson that she has backed up all relevant Telegram chats and is prepared to reveal more if he continues to “throw stones.”
The “Peacemaker” Defense: Benny Johnson, who has roughly 6 million YouTube subscribers, responded by leaning into his Christian faith. He wrote on X: “I forgive you. Christ forgave me, so I forgive you… I don’t know why people engage in this trash, it’s bad for the soul.”
The Elon Musk Custody Battle
The feud with Johnson is unfolding against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal battle between St. Clair and Elon Musk over their one-year-old son, Romulus.
The Transgender Controversy: In January 2026, St. Clair publicly apologized for her past anti-transgender commentary, expressing “immense guilt” and a desire to support the trans community, specifically mentioning Musk’s transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson.
Musk’s Move for Full Custody: Shortly after her apology, Musk announced on X that he would be seeking full custody of their son. He claimed St. Clair’s statements implied she might “transition a one-year-old boy”—a claim St. Clair has denied, stating Musk was intentionally misrepresenting her words.
Grok AI Lawsuit: St. Clair is also involved in a legal dispute with Musk’s company, xAI, alleging that the AI chatbot Grok generated non-consensual sexualized deepfake images of her and even minors.
Who are the Players?
| Feature | Ashley St. Clair | Benny Johnson |
| Current Status | Political commentator; Author of Elephants Are Not Birds | Pro-Trump commentator; 6M+ YouTube subscribers |
| Past Controversy | Recent “leftward shift”; battle with Elon Musk | Fired from Buzzfeed/IJR for plagiarism; alleged Kremlin-funded ties |
| Personal Connection | Shares a child with Elon Musk | Closely associated with the Trump inner circle |
While St. Clair describes the past year as “unplanned career suicide,” her decision to publicly target major figures in the MAGA movement suggests she is committed to her departure from her previous political alliances.