Elon Musk says he will file for full custody of his infant son with influencer Ashley St. Clair, hours after she publicly apologized for past transphobic remarks.
The Tesla CEO posted on January 12 that he is taking legal action because he fears St. Clair might “transition a one-year-old boy,” though the article contains no evidence she ever made such a statement.
Musk’s Custody Claim
“I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy,” Musk wrote on X. The post was a reply to another user who urged him to seek custody after St. Clair voiced support for the transgender community.
Reps for both Musk and St. Clair did not respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment.
St. Clair’s Apology
Over the weekend, St. Clair addressed prior anti-trans comments on X. A user asked her to explain her “blatant transphobia.”
“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,” St. Clair wrote, referring to Musk’s daughter Vivian, who is transgender.
She added:
- She has been “trying incredibly hard privately to learn + advocate for those within the trans community”
- She worried her voice would be seen as “disingenuous”
- “Even this reply will become right wing hysteria but yeah I am sorry”
Background of the Couple
- The pair met on X and began dating while working in San Francisco
- St. Clair revealed in 2024 that she gave birth to their son in September 2024
- On February 14, she announced the child uses initials R.S.C.; his first name Romulus was confirmed in April
- Musk is father to 13 other children
Current Legal Battle
St. Clair is now suing for sole custody. The dispute includes:
| Claim | Musk | St. Clair |
|---|---|---|
| Paternity test | Says he “doesn’t know for sure” | Says he “refused” testing before birth |
| Financial support | Says he gave her $2.5 M and $500 k/year | Says he “withdrew most of it” as punishment |
| Motive | Not specified | Claims he cut support to punish her for “disobedience” |
In August, St. Clair said the year had been “unplanned career suicide” and claimed she was “getting evicted,” starting a podcast to raise funds after Polymarket offered $10,000 for an ad read.
At a Glance
- Musk says he will file for full custody of his son with St. Clair
- His claim centers on fears she might “transition” the child, though no statement from her supports this
- St. Clair recently apologized for past transphobic remarks and expressed support for trans rights
- The pair are already locked in a separate custody lawsuit initiated by St. Clair
Why it matters: The public dispute mixes personal custody issues with broader cultural debates over transgender rights, amplified by Musk’s massive social media following.
