Ashley St. Clair’s PR Strategist and Connections to Foreign Influence Networks: Assessing Risks in the Context of U.S. Lobbying and Geopolitics

Wren Crowe

2 weeks ago

The revelation that Ashley St. Clair—a conservative influencer and self-proclaimed mother of Elon Musk’s child—is managed by public relations strategist Brian Glicklich has drawn scrutiny due to Glicklich’s prior financial ties to an Israeli security firm implicated in lobbying efforts for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to a 2023 New York Times investigation, Glicklich’s firm received $598,000 from Mer Security and Communication Systems, an Israeli company contracted by the DRC to lobby against U.S. sanctions targeting human rights abuses under former President Joseph Kabila1 4. While no direct evidence links St. Clair to foreign state actors, this connection raises questions about potential vulnerabilities in her public platform and the broader ethical implications of PR operatives with histories of transnational lobbying managing high-profile influencers. This report examines Glicklich’s role in the DRC sanctions evasion campaign, analyzes St. Clair’s position within Musk’s orbit, and evaluates hypothetical risks of foreign exploitation.

Brian Glicklich’s Lobbying for the DRC and Mer Security’s Role

TL;DR of Ashley St. Clair’s PR Strategist and Potential Foreign Influence

Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer linked to Elon Musk, is managed by Brian Glicklich, a PR strategist with ties to a controversial lobbying effort involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Glicklich’s firm was paid to help the DRC avoid U.S. sanctions, raising concerns about foreign influence on her platform and potential vulnerabilities.

Key Figures and Events:

Person/Entity	Role/Connection
Ashley St. Clair	MAGA influencer, managed by Glicklich, self-described as Musk’s baby mama.
Brian Glicklich	PR strategist, worked with the DRC to influence U.S. policy.
Mer Security	Israeli security firm, paid $8M by DRC for lobbying to avoid U.S. sanctions.
Glicklich’s Firm	Received $598K from Mer Security for lobbying.

Lobbying Campaign by Mer Security:

Recipient	Amount	Role
Brian Glicklich	$598K	U.S. PR consultant for DRC lobbying
Adnan Jalil	$360K	Liaison for Trump campaign
Robert L. Livingston	$680K	Former Republican congressman
Robert Stryk	$1.25M	Organizer of DRC event attended by Rudy Giuliani

Geopolitical and Security Context:

DRC’s Strategic Importance: Home to critical minerals (e.g., cobalt), influencing global markets and tech.
Israeli Security Firms: Facilitate lobbying for authoritarian regimes, with ties to Israel’s surveillance tech sector.

St. Clair’s PR and Risk:

PR Management: Glicklich oversees St. Clair’s content, raising concerns about foreign influence.
Potential Vulnerabilities:
1. Foreign Manipulation: States like Russia or China could exploit Glicklich’s connections to manipulate St. Clair’s content.
2. Data Risks: Sensitive info between Glicklich and St. Clair could be intercepted.
3. Narrative Weaponization: Her controversial views may align with foreign disinformation efforts.

Conclusion:

St. Clair’s ties to Glicklich and his past work with foreign lobbying raise concerns about potential foreign influence. Policymakers should enhance lobbying transparency, strengthen cybersecurity, and educate influencers on foreign interference tactics.

Mer Security’s Sanctions Evasion Campaign

Holon-based Mer Security and Communication Systems, an Israeli private security firm, was paid $8 million by the DRC government in 2023 to orchestrate a lobbying campaign aimed at preventing additional U.S. sanctions1. The DRC, already under sanctions for systemic corruption and human rights violations, faced heightened scrutiny during the Trump administration. Mer Security funneled portions of these funds to U.S. lobbyists with ties to former President Donald Trump, including Glicklich’s firm, which received $598,0001 4. Other recipients included:

Adnan Jalil (Trump campaign congressional liaison): $360,000
Robert L. Livingston (former Republican congressman): $680,000
Robert Stryk (organizer of a pro-DRC event attended by Rudy Giuliani): $1.25 million

These payments facilitated meetings between Kabila’s envoys and U.S. officials, including an event at Washington’s Hay-Adams Hotel where Giuliani—then Trump’s personal lawyer—reportedly explored business opportunities in Africa1. While Giuliani denied formal lobbying, DRC officials indicated he advised them on navigating U.S. policies1.

Glicklich’s Strategic Communications Expertise

Glicklich, a veteran PR strategist known for representing figures like Rush Limbaugh and Breitbart News, leveraged his firm’s digital and crisis management capabilities to advance the DRC’s interests2 4. His involvement underscores the role of U.S.-based consultants in shaping foreign governments’ access to American political networks. By coordinating messaging and facilitating high-level contacts, Glicklich’s work for Mer Security exemplifies the blurred lines between private sector lobbying and state-aligned influence operations.

Geopolitical Context: DRC’s Strategic Importance and Sanctions Evasion

U.S. and UN Concerns Over DRC’s Stability

The DRC’s mineral wealth—including cobalt and copper critical for renewable energy technologies—has made it a focal point of geopolitical competition. However, its governance crises, exemplified by the M23 rebel group’s 2025 offensive near Goma, have drawn condemnation from the UN Security Council3. Sanctions evasion efforts under Kabila aimed to preserve his regime’s access to international markets despite documented human rights abuses. Mer Security’s lobbying, facilitated by Glicklich and others, sought to mitigate U.S. pressure during this volatile period1 3.

Israeli Security Firms as Intermediaries

Mer Security’s role highlights the outsized influence of Israeli private security companies in mediating between authoritarian regimes and Western governments. While Mer’s ties to the Israeli state remain unclear, its operations align with Israel’s broader export of surveillance and cybersecurity technologies—a sector often criticized for enabling repressive governance1. Glicklich’s collaboration with Mer illustrates how foreign firms leverage U.S. political insiders to circumvent accountability mechanisms.

Ashley St. Clair’s Profile and Hypothetical Vulnerabilities

St. Clair’s Rise as a MAGA Influencer

St. Clair’s prominence stems from her far-right commentary, authorship of conservative children’s books, and affiliation with outlets like The Babylon Bee5. Her self-described Jewish heritage and narrative of overcoming poverty—including childhood reliance on food stamps—have bolstered her credibility among MAGA audiences5. However, her alleged relationship with Musk and residency in a $15,000/month Manhattan apartment have intensified scrutiny of her financial ties and public image management5.

Glicklich’s PR Management and Risk Vectors

As St. Clair’s strategist, Glicklich oversees her digital presence, which includes over one million followers on X (formerly Twitter). His past work for Mer Security raises theoretical concerns:

Foreign Actor Targeting: Adversarial states like Russia or China might exploit Glicklich’s familiarity with transnational lobbying to manipulate St. Clair’s content, particularly given her proximity to Musk—a figure of strategic interest due to SpaceX and Tesla’s roles in U.S. defense and tech sectors.
Data Security Risks: Sensitive communications between St. Clair and Glicklich, if inadequately protected, could be intercepted to glean insights into Musk’s ventures or personal security protocols.
Narrative Weaponization: St. Clair’s advocacy against progressive policies (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights) aligns with Russian disinformation tactics that amplify cultural divisions. Foreign operatives could co-opt her messaging to deepen U.S. political polarization.

Ethical and Regulatory Implications

Lobbying Disclosure Gaps

Glicklich’s work for Mer Security complied with Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) reporting requirements, but the opacity of such arrangements underscores systemic flaws. Payments routed through intermediaries like Mer Security obscure the extent of foreign governments’ influence over U.S. consultants, complicating public accountability.

Influence Networks and Domestic Politics

The revolving door between Trump-affiliated operatives and foreign lobbying ventures—exemplified by Giuliani’s DRC dealings—reveals vulnerabilities in U.S. political integrity. St. Clair’s case illustrates how influencers, managed by professionals enmeshed in these networks, may inadvertently become conduits for adversarial narratives, even absent direct collusion.

Conclusion: Navigating Interconnected Risks

While Ashley St. Clair’s direct links to foreign state actors remain unproven, her association with Brian Glicklich—a PR strategist enmeshed in sanctions evasion lobbying—highlights latent risks in the intersection of digital influence and transnational politics. To mitigate these threats, policymakers should:

Strengthen FARA Enforcement: Mandate transparent reporting of subcontractor relationships in foreign lobbying.
Enhance Cybersecurity Protocols: Require PR firms handling high-profile clients to adopt end-to-end encryption and regular audits.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate influencers and strategists on recognizing foreign interference tactics.

As Musk’s reforms at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) proceed, the St. Clair-Glicklich connection underscores the need for vigilance against adversarial exploitation of personal and professional networks shaping U.S. public discourse.