Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced on social media that he intends to file for full custody of his one‑year‑old son, Romulus, whom he shares with influencer Ashley St. Clair. Musk made the announcement on January 12, 2026, writing that he would pursue custody “given her statements implying she might transition a one‑year‑old boy.”
Musk’s comments came in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from another user urging him to take action after St. Clair — previously known for her conservative and often transphobic commentary — expressed support for the transgender community and apologized for past remarks that she said may have hurt others, including Musk’s transgender daughter. Musk’s public interpretation of her remarks was the basis of his custody claim, though there is no public evidence that St. Clair ever said she planned to transition their son.
Ashley St. Clair’s Response: “Misrepresented” and “Taken Out of Context”
In response to Musk’s custody announcement, Ashley St. Clair has pushed back publicly, saying that Musk’s interpretation of her statements was inaccurate or misinterpreted. While she didn’t go into detail in media interviews, she suggested that her comments about seeking to learn and support the trans community were not about transitioning their child and that the custody filing claim misrepresents her views. St. Clair, 26, has acknowledged that she previously made transphobic remarks and has publicly apologized for them, saying she feels guilt over comments that may have caused pain to others, including Musk’s daughter. She said she has been trying to educate herself and become a better ally privately, even if she finds public discussion difficult.
Background: Their Relationship and Child
The custody conflict comes amid a broader dispute between Musk and St. Clair. The two reportedly became romantically involved while in San Francisco, and she announced publicly in February 2025 that she had given birth to a son named Romulus in September 2024, saying at the time that Musk was the father. Before Musk’s custody announcement, St. Clair had sought sole legal custody of the child and filed for paternity to have Musk legally recognized as the father. She has also accused Musk of reducing financial support as a form of retaliation after she pursued legal action, though Musk has denied these claims and said he has provided financial support.
Controversy Over Interpretation and Public Debate
Much of the public debate has centered not only on the custody battle but also on St. Clair’s shift in tone regarding the transgender community. After years of conservative and sometimes controversial posts, she issued an apology in early 2026 and said she regretted past comments. That apology — which mentioned her desire to try to learn and advocate for those she hurt — sparked Musk’s custody filing announcement when he framed it as evidence she might support transitioning a minor. However, many observers have noted that her statements did not specifically discuss their son’s gender identity or any intentions for him, and that the suggestion she might transition a child has not been publicly substantiated.
Ongoing Legal and Personal Dispute
The custody dispute is part of an ongoing legal and personal conflict between Musk and St. Clair, who has been open about her challenges with financial stability and her efforts to care for her child. She has also pursued legal action related to deepfake images made of her on platforms tied to Musk’s companies, adding further complexity to their public disagreements. At the same time, Musk has numerous children from other relationships and has occasionally commented on his feelings and roles as a parent, though he has not publicly detailed the custody plan beyond his initial announcement.
What’s Next?
Both custody proceedings and public debate around the family’s situation are likely to continue. Legal filings, paternity tests, and court decisions will shape the outcome, and both sides have publicly contested each other’s claims. As of now, Musk’s stated reason for seeking full custody centers on his interpretation of St. Clair’s recent comments, while St. Clair maintains that her views were taken out of context and insists her focus remains on their child’s well‑being.
