Ashley St Clair says she turned down an alleged $40 million nondisclosure agreement connected to Elon Musk before appearing in Alex Gibney’s new documentary, Musk.
St Clair discussed the alleged offer at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, where the documentary premiered. She said the decision forced her to consider what her voice was worth and why someone would offer such a large amount of money for her silence.
Her comments have added another layer to the growing attention around Musk, a nearly four-hour documentary examining the billionaire’s personal life, businesses, political influence and public image.
Ashley St Clair Says She Turned Down the Alleged NDA
St Clair, who has a son with Musk, said she was offered the opportunity to remain silent for $40 million.
She made the claim while speaking at the Venice Film Festival ahead of the documentary’s premiere. According to reporting from PEOPLE and Variety, St Clair said the offer made her question why her silence was considered so valuable.
The alleged agreement would have restricted what she could publicly say about Musk and matters connected to him.
St Clair had previously discussed an alleged NDA arrangement in a June appearance on Don Lemon’s show. She said the proposal involved a substantial upfront payment along with monthly payments in exchange for confidentiality.
However, it is important to note that the $40 million figure comes from St Clair’s account. Public reporting has also described an earlier alleged proposal involving $15 million and $100,000 per month. The details of the reported arrangements have not been independently established in the sources reviewed for this article.
Why St Clair Decided to Speak Publicly
St Clair said her decision was influenced by what she wanted to demonstrate to her children.
Rather than prioritising financial security, she said she wanted to show them the importance of speaking honestly.
That decision ultimately allowed her to participate in Musk, where she discusses her experiences and views about the billionaire.
St Clair is the mother of Romulus, whom she identified publicly in 2025 as her son with Musk. Musk said at the time that he was uncertain about paternity but stated that he had provided financial support to St Clair.
The $40 Million Claim Is Part of a Larger Musk Documentary Story
The NDA allegation is only one part of Musk.
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, the documentary looks at Musk’s rise as an entrepreneur and his expanding influence across technology, media and politics.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2026. The official festival listing gives it a running time of 225 minutes plus a 10-minute intermission.
Gibney originally approached Musk about participating in the project. Musk ultimately did not appear for a conventional interview. Instead, the documentary uses a CGI version of Musk combined with AI voice technology and statements he has previously made.
Elon Musk Has Criticised the Documentary
Musk has publicly rejected the documentary’s portrayal of him.
He has described the film as a biased “hit piece” and attacked Gibney on X. Musk did not participate in the documentary’s production.
Gibney, meanwhile, has defended his approach. He said he began the project with an interest in speaking directly with Musk but continued investigating after Musk declined to participate.
The filmmaker has also said that some people he approached were reluctant to speak publicly because of Musk’s influence.
What Musk Covers
The documentary goes beyond Musk’s personal relationships.
According to reporting from the Venice premiere, the film examines his business career, acquisition of Twitter, political involvement and growing influence over technology and public debate. It also features interviews with people connected to different parts of Musk’s life and career.
The official Venice Film Festival listing names Ashley St Clair, Justine Musk, Kara Swisher, Martin Eberhard, Zoë Schiffer and Geoffrey Hinton among the film’s participants.
St Clair’s appearance therefore places her account within a much broader examination of Musk’s public and private life.
When Will the Elon Musk Documentary Be Released?
Musk premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2026.
The documentary is scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on October 16, 2026, according to current reporting.
The Venice premiere has already generated significant discussion, particularly around the film’s treatment of Musk’s political activities, personal relationships and use of technology.
Why Ashley St Clair’s NDA Claim Matters
The alleged NDA has attracted attention because of the unusually large amount St Clair says was offered in exchange for silence.
However, the claim should be understood in context. St Clair is presenting her own account of the alleged negotiations, while Musk has not publicly confirmed the $40 million figure.
That distinction matters when evaluating the story.
What is confirmed is that St Clair participated in Gibney’s documentary and publicly discussed rejecting an alleged NDA offer. Her appearance has subsequently become one of the most discussed elements surrounding the film’s Venice premiere.