Elon Musk is escalating a dispute with Ashley St. Clair, the mother of his one-year-old son, Romulus, by filing for full custody. This move comes after St. Clair publicly apologized for past transphobic statements that may have caused pain to Musk’s transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson.
The conflict began when St. Clair addressed criticism regarding her previous anti-transgender rhetoric. She expressed “immense guilt” and a desire to learn from her mistakes, acknowledging the harm her words may have inflicted. A subsequent social media exchange led to a user suggesting Musk should seek full custody, framing St. Clair’s apology as supporting “trans grooming.” Musk then announced his intention to file for full custody, citing concerns that St. Clair might attempt to transition their son.
This action highlights Musk’s long-standing public opposition to transgender rights and his contentious relationship with his own daughter. He has previously claimed Vivian was “killed by the woke-mind virus” and accused her of being tricked into gender reassignment surgery. Musk’s response to St. Clair’s apology appears driven by his existing biases, rather than any genuine threat to their son.
The situation is further complicated by past financial disputes. St. Clair revealed in 2025 that she had kept their child’s existence private to protect their safety, only for the information to leak through tabloid media. Musk allegedly offered her $15 million and $100,000 monthly to remain silent, later admitting to sending $2.5 million initially and $500,000 annually. St. Clair claims he refused a paternity test before the child’s birth and subsequently reduced financial support after she challenged his control.
Musk’s history of multiple children with different partners—including six with ex-wife Justine Wilson, three with Grimes, and four with Shivon Zillis—adds another layer to this high-profile custody battle. The core issue isn’t about the child’s welfare but rather Musk’s rigid stance against transgender rights and his willingness to weaponize personal disputes.
Ultimately, Musk’s pursuit of full custody appears to be a retaliatory measure fueled by ideological opposition, rather than genuine concern for his son’s well-being. This case underscores the complex intersection of wealth, power, and personal beliefs in high-profile custody disputes.
