Elon Musk has announced plans to file for full custody of his one-year-old son with right-wing influencer Ashley St. Clair, following her public apology for past transphobic remarks. The Tesla CEO made the declaration on X on January 12, 2026, expressing concern that St. Clair’s statements implied she might transition their child, a claim she has not made.
St. Clair, who revealed last year that she welcomed a baby with Musk in September 2024, issued an apology over the weekend on X after being questioned about her history of transphobia. In her post, she expressed ‘immense guilt’ for her role and apologized for any pain caused to Musk’s transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson. St. Clair stated that she has been working privately to learn and advocate for the transgender community, despite fears that her voice would be seen as disingenuous.
Musk responded to a user who criticized St. Clair’s apology, writing that he would file for full custody ‘given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy.’ However, St. Clair’s apology did not indicate any intention to transition their son; instead, she focused on making amends for her past comments. Representatives for both parties have not immediately commented on the situation.
The custody dispute has been ongoing, with St. Clair filing for sole custody and a court-ordered paternity test last year. Musk, who has at least 14 children, initially expressed uncertainty about paternity but has provided financial support, including a $2.5 million payment and annual stipends. St. Clair has accused Musk of withdrawing support to punish her for disobedience, claims he has denied.
Background on their relationship reveals that Musk and St. Clair connected on X and began a relationship while working together in San Francisco. St. Clair announced their son’s existence in February 2025, naming him Romulus, and has since been involved in a public feud with Musk over custody and finances. She has described the past year as ‘unplanned career suicide’ and started a podcast to address her eviction and financial struggles.
Musk’s personal life includes tensions with his transgender daughter, Vivian, who has publicly criticized him for being ‘quick to anger’ and ‘uncaring.’ Musk has made controversial statements about Vivian, referring to her as ‘dead’ due to the ‘woke mind virus.’ This context adds layers to the current custody battle, highlighting broader familial and societal issues.
The public nature of this dispute, played out on social media, underscores the complexities of high-profile custody cases and the impact of personal beliefs on legal proceedings. As both parties prepare for court, the outcome could set precedents for how transgender issues intersect with family law, drawing attention from legal experts and the public alike.
