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18 April 2025

Elon Musk Faces Legal Battle Over Child Support Claims

Ashley St. Clair alleges Musk offered millions to keep their child's paternity secret

In a shocking revelation, Ashley St. Clair, a 26-year-old conservative commentator, has alleged that tech billionaire Elon Musk offered her millions of dollars to keep the existence of their child, Romulus, a secret. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, St. Clair claims that Musk, 53, made a proposal that included a one-time payment of $15 million and $100,000 monthly until their son turns 21. This startling information surfaced following St. Clair's public announcement of her child's birth on February 14, 2025.

The pair first connected at the X offices in San Francisco in 2023 after Musk reached out to St. Clair on social media. Their relationship quickly blossomed, leading to St. Clair's pregnancy and the birth of Romulus in September 2024. During her pregnancy, Musk reportedly sent St. Clair $2 million to cover expenses, which was structured as a loan, as confirmed by various sources close to St. Clair.

St. Clair revealed that during labor, she was advised by Musk's team to omit his name from the birth certificate. At this point, she had already sought legal counsel, contrary to Musk's advice. Following the birth, she was asked to sign documents that would keep Musk's identity a secret in exchange for financial support, which she ultimately refused. St. Clair expressed concern that signing such an agreement would make their child feel "illegitimate" and noted that it did not include provisions for a trust fund or life insurance in the event of Musk's death before Romulus turned 21.

In a text message, Musk cited his position in the Trump administration as a reason for wanting to keep his paternity unknown, stating, "I am the #2 after Trump for assassination," and adding that "only the paranoid survive." This comment highlights Musk's belief in a world where he feels he must protect his family from potential threats.

After publicly announcing the birth of her son, St. Clair faced a significant shift in her financial arrangement with Musk. Within a week, he revoked the $15 million offer and reduced his monthly support from $100,000 to $40,000. St. Clair reported receiving a $20,000 payment from Musk on April 15, 2025, which was half of what had been previously agreed upon. Her legal fees have already amassed to around $250,000, as she seeks to establish a custody arrangement and a paternity test.

On April 18, 2025, a court-ordered paternity test confirmed Musk as the father of Romulus, revealing a 99.9999% probability of paternity. Following this confirmation, St. Clair filed a petition with the New York Supreme Court seeking sole custody of their son. St. Clair's attorney, Karen B. Rosenthal, stated that New York courts require a paternity test to enforce child support agreements.

In the midst of these developments, Musk took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his dissatisfaction with the Wall Street Journal, stating, "TMZ>>WSJ," signifying his preference for coverage from the tabloid over the more traditional news outlet. Musk has publicly denied St. Clair's claims, asserting that he has provided her with substantial financial support, including $2.5 million in total payments.

St. Clair's allegations are not isolated; she claims that Musk has used his wealth to silence other women with whom he has had children. Musk is known to have a total of 14 children with four different women, including pop artist Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. St. Clair's claims add to the growing narrative surrounding Musk's views on family and procreation.

Interestingly, St. Clair is reported to be the first known Jewish woman to have a child with Musk. In a twist of cultural significance, she revealed that Musk had urged her not to circumcise their son, a common practice in Jewish tradition. Musk had reportedly suggested that a cesarean section would be preferable for the delivery, a request that St. Clair ultimately did not heed.

Throughout their relationship, Musk's discussions about family planning included unconventional ideas, such as bringing in other women to expedite procreation. St. Clair recounted a conversation where Musk expressed a desire to have more children, saying, "We will need to use surrogates" to achieve a "legion-level" of offspring before an impending apocalypse.

As the legal battle unfolds, the public continues to watch closely. St. Clair's situation sheds light on the complexities of celebrity relationships and the challenges faced by women navigating such high-profile scenarios. With Musk's wealth and influence at play, the implications of this case extend beyond personal matters, raising questions about power dynamics, parental rights, and the responsibilities that come with fame.

As of now, Musk has not publicly commented on the latest developments following the paternity test. The story continues to evolve as both parties navigate the legal landscape surrounding their child's future.