At a Glance
- Elon Musk says he will seek full custody of 1-year-old son Romulus after mom Ashley St. Clair voiced support for trans rights
- St. Clair told CNN viewers Musk’s claim lacks context she can’t yet share publicly
- The author previously apologized for past transphobic remarks and pledged to advocate for the community
- Why it matters: The dispute spotlights how personal politics can erupt into high-stakes custody fights between public figures
Ashley St. Clair is publicly pushing back after Elon Musk declared he will file for full custody of their toddler son, citing her recent shift in support toward the transgender community.
Musk’s Custody Threat
On Jan. 12, Musk posted on X that he intended to seek full custody of Romulus, the couple’s 1-year-old, writing, “I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy.”
The comment came in reply to another user who suggested Musk should take legal action after St. Clair reversed her stance on trans issues. Musk’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment from News Of Losangeles, and St. Clair declined to elaborate when reached.
St. Clair Responds on CNN
Appearing on CNN two days later, Jan. 14, St. Clair told anchor Erin Burnett that Musk’s interpretation misses crucial context. “I’m not at liberty to discuss it further, but I think anyone with more than a third-grade reading comprehension level knows what I was saying there,” she said.
St. Clair emphasized that no public statement from her has indicated any plan to medically transition the child.
Apology for Past Remarks
The flare-up follows St. Clair’s weekend apology for earlier anti-trans comments. When an X user asked her to address “blatant transphobia” in her past posts, she replied:
- “I feel immense guilt for my role.”
- “Things I have said in the past may have caused my son’s sister more pain,” referencing Musk’s daughter Vivian, who is transgender.
- “I have been trying incredibly hard privately to learn + advocate for those within the trans community that I’ve hurt.”
She admitted hesitating to speak out, fearing her words would be framed as “disingenuous,” yet added, “Let me know how I can help.”
Relationship Timeline
Musk and St. Clair met on X and began dating while collaborating in San Francisco, she told the New York Post in February. Their son, identified only as R.S.C. in a Feb. 14 X post, was born in September 2024; the first name Romulus was confirmed in April.
Separate Custody Petition
Court records show St. Clair is already suing for sole custody. In March, Musk denied her allegation that he “financially retaliated” against the child, claiming on X he had provided:
| Support Claimed by Musk | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lump-sum payment | $2.5 million |
| Ongoing annual support | $500,000 |
Musk added that he acted “despite not knowing for sure” of paternity. St. Clair countered that Musk refused a paternity test before the birth and later reduced support “to maintain control and punish me for disobedience,” ultimately “punishing your son.”
Key Takeaways
- No court filing from Musk has surfaced since his Jan. 12 online pledge
- St. Clair’s public apology focused on past rhetoric, not future parenting choices
- The custody dispute now intertwines with broader cultural debates over transgender rights
- Both parents continue to air grievances on X while legal proceedings remain pending
