Conservative author and influencer Ashley St. Clair was present in a Manhattan courtroom for a paternity and custody case involving her infant son, whom she claims is the child of billionaire Elon Musk. The proceedings, overseen by New York Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Pearlman, were sealed after both parties arrived for the hearing, which Musk attended remotely.
St. Clair is seeking custody of the child, identified as “R.S.C.” or Romulus, acknowledged to be Musk’s 13th child. Reports indicate that Musk offered her $15 million along with monthly payments of $100,000 to maintain the child’s privacy; however, she rejected the proposal. DNA testing purportedly confirmed a paternity probability of 99.9999% for Musk.
St. Clair’s attorney, Karen Rosenthal, expressed concern over the adversarial nature of the case, stating, “Ashley St. Clair is a phenomenal mother who has done everything possible to protect her son.” She noted that both sides remain open to a more amicable resolution.
In a previous social media post, St. Clair emphasized her desire to keep her child’s identity confidential amid growing media scrutiny, asking the press to respect their privacy. Musk has publicly acknowledged the uncertainty about his paternity but mentioned financial support he has already provided to St. Clair.
The court will address whether Musk should be compelled to undergo a paternity test and will also discuss the potential for child support payments. This legal battle follows a backdrop of political and social controversy for Musk, who has recently faced significant criticism, including accusations of being a Nazi sympathizer as protests against his companies continue.
This situation highlights the complexities of high-profile relationships and the impact of public life on personal matters. As the case unfolds, there remains hope that both parties can find a resolution that serves the best interests of their child.