A high-profile silence, a Roman-inspired name, and a secret child with one of the world’s most controversial billionaires — Ashley St. Clair’s revelations have set off a media firestorm.
Ashley St. Clair has revealed that she shares a child with Elon Musk. In a series of developments detailed by The Wall Street Journal in their April 15 issue, the former “The Babylon Bee” commentator disclosed that the child, named Romulus, was born five months prior.
The name has since sparked online conversations, particularly following St. Clair’s social media confirmation earlier this year.
A disgruntled netizen’s comment on Elon Musk, dated April 17, 2025 | Source: Instagram/enews
On Facebook, some users expressed a mix of empathy and sarcasm. One person wrote, “That name isnt as bad as some of the other kids names [sic].” Another commented, “I really feel bad for this child.”
A third added, “Well, at least Romulus is a NAME and not part of a mathematical equation, like poor X Æ A-Xii. That poor kid is probably going to have some issues….”
Elon Musk attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre on June 16, 2023, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Reactions on Instagram were similarly varied. One netizen wrote, “Its his kid. Straight up. Name like that [sic]!” Another said, “What a name [sic].” A second one added, “Poor baby.”
Meanwhile, another person asked, “Why and how [sic].” Yet another reader divulged, “Romulus? i mean i loved the new alien movies but that’s a little much gang [sic].”
Elon Musk departs the U.S. Capitol Building on March 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
According to The Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk offered Nicole St. Clair a one-time payment of $15 million and $100,000 per month in financial support in exchange for her silence regarding their child.
The proposed agreement required St. Clair to keep Musk’s name off the birth certificate and maintain complete secrecy about their relationship. While she initially complied by omitting Musk’s name from the birth certificate, she ultimately declined to sign the full agreement.
The arrangement would have barred St. Clair from publicly discussing Musk in relation to their child or criticizing him. A breach of these terms would have obligated her to return the $15 million lump sum. The contract notably lacked provisions for the child’s medical emergencies, security measures, a trust fund, or life insurance in the event of Musk’s death before their son turned 21. Meanwhile, Musk retained the right to speak negatively about St. Clair without restriction.
St. Clair’s primary concern reportedly centered on how the agreement might affect their son, Romulus, fearing it would make him feel illegitimate. She also requested a paternity test—a legal requirement for child support cases in New York, where she resides—according to her attorney, Karen B. Rosenthal.
St. Clair attempted to resolve the matter privately by reaching out to Musk directly, but said he ignored her messages. In February, after learning that a tabloid planned to expose their relationship, she preemptively disclosed the news on X, as reported by The Wall Street Journal:
“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father,” she wrote. “I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause.”
Following the post, Musk reportedly rescinded the $15 million offer. As legal proceedings began—covering paternity testing and a gag order Musk requested—the support offer was reduced to $40,000 per month, coinciding with a rise in St. Clair’s legal expenses.
Elon Musk walks to the White House after landing in Marine One on the South Lawn with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) on March 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
By the time The Wall Street Journal contacted Elon Musk for comment on Thursday, April 10, Nicole St. Clair said she had not received the child support payment scheduled for the following day. Late Tuesday, Musk’s team transferred $20,000—effectively cutting her monthly stipend in half once again.
St. Clair also disclosed that Jared Birchall, Musk’s representative, informed her that similar nondisclosure agreements had been arranged with other mothers of Musk’s children. Birchall, who urged her to sign the confidentiality documents after Romulus was born, played a key role in managing communications and negotiations on Musk’s behalf.
Musk, known for his ambitions in space exploration, has previously emphasized on X that making humanity multiplanetary is essential for “the long-term survival of humanity and all life as we know it.”
Sources close to Musk have said he is driven by concerns over a declining global population, which he believes threatens civilization’s future. As part of this broader mission, Musk reportedly aims to contribute to Earth’s population with children he believes will be highly intelligent.
Elon Musk delivers remarks as he joins U.S. President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
During St. Clair’s pregnancy, Musk reportedly suggested involving additional women to expedite his goal of expanding his family. In a text message reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, he wrote, “To reach legion-level before the apocalypse, we will need to use surrogates.”
Musk often refers to his children as a “legion,” drawing a parallel to Roman military units that extended the empire’s reach—language that reflects his ambition to shape the future through his progeny.
In other private messages, Musk voiced concern over the potential consequences of his involvement becoming public. He told St. Clair that he considered himself “#2 after Trump for assassination” and added, “Only the paranoid survive.”
Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
The public conversation about Elon Musk’s children often extends beyond headlines and financial arrangements. In past years, attention has also focused on the unconventional names chosen for his kids — and the reasons behind them.
In 2020, Musk and his former partner, musician Grimes, introduced their first child together with a name that generated global debate: X Æ A-12.
Elon Musk and son X Æ A-12 are seen on-stage, on December 13, 2021, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The unique choice prompted widespread curiosity, which Grimes addressed publicly online, “X, the unknown variable. Æ, my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence). A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent. (A=Archangel, my favorite song) (metal rat).”
Elon Musk and his son X Æ A-Xii are seen in attendance during the UFC 314 event at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025, in Miami, Florida | Source: Getty Images
In a follow-up post on X, St. Clair wrote, “I think it sounds like the name of the main character in the story. I hope he vibes with that. Ok, going back into the pain/beauty reverie for sum time, just came on to add my thoughts. Peace to all [sic].”
Grimes—born Claire Boucher—also offered public reflections on her relationship with Musk. In a 2022 Vanity Fair interview, she spoke candidly about its complexities and emotional toll.
According to the article, she often goes by Grimes, Claire, or even “c,” a nod to the scientific symbol for the speed of light. She explained that after becoming a mother, she felt much of her personal identity had been eclipsed by her association with Musk.
Grimes and Elon Musk attend “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & the Catholic Imagination”, at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
She described Musk as deeply involved in their son’s life, “X is just out there. I mean, I think E is really seeing him as a protégé and bringing him to everything and stuff.… X is out there. His situation is like that.”
Elon Musk and his son X Æ A-12 walk off Marine One on the south lawn of the White House on April 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Grimes became visibly uncomfortable during parts of the Vanity Fair interview, highlighting how sensitive and private the topic of her relationship with Musk had become. At one point, when the interviewer heard a baby crying upstairs, Grimes laughed and admitted, “She’s a little colicky too,” confirming the arrival of her and Musk’s second child—a daughter, known publicly as Y.
While Grimes initially withheld the child’s full name, the article revealed that the couple had used a surrogate, allowing them to keep the pregnancy and birth out of the public eye.
She described her first pregnancy as physically traumatic, saying, “I hemorrhaged. It was scary.” She also recalled collapsing during the later stages of pregnancy due to nerve pressure, which left her crawling instead of walking.
In the same interview, Grimes clarified that she and Musk were no longer in a traditional relationship, describing their dynamic as “very fluid.”
Elon Musk and Grimes head for dinner on May 4, 2021, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Despite no longer being in a traditional relationship, Grimes and Musk maintained a close bond. They lived in separate homes, saw each other regularly, and described one another as best friends. When asked about the possibility of having more children, Grimes responded, “We’ve always wanted at least three or four.”
Musk had publicly confirmed their separation in 2021, citing long-distance logistics and the demands of their respective careers. He had relocated to Texas to be near SpaceX’s Starbase and the Tesla Gigafactory, while Grimes remained in Los Angeles for a time before moving to Austin, where she continued to raise their son X and pursue her creative work.
