JUST IN: Ashley St. Clair Boldly Rejects Elon Musk’s $15M Hush Money Offer, Insists $30M and $500K Monthly Is the Bare Minimum to Stay Silent About Their Child

Ashley St. Clair Rejects Elon Musk’s $15M Hush Money Offer, Demands $30M and $500K Monthly in Explosive Child Paternity Dispute

In a sensational twist that has captivated tabloids and social media, conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair has publicly rejected a staggering $15 million offer from billionaire Elon Musk to keep quiet about their son, Romulus, born in September 2024. St. Clair, 26, not only turned down the deal but countered with a bold demand for $30 million upfront and $500,000 monthly, claiming Musk’s proposal was “insultingly low” and failed to prioritize their child’s future. The high-stakes drama, unfolding across court filings, X posts, and exclusive interviews, has sparked intense debate about wealth, power, and parental responsibility.

A Secret Child and a Multimillion-Dollar Offer

The saga began when St. Clair announced in February 2025 that Musk, 53, was the father of her then-five-month-old son, Romulus, following a paternity test that confirmed Musk’s parentage with 99.9999% certainty, as reported by The Wall Street Journal and PEOPLE. The revelation came after months of speculation, with St. Clair citing media pressure as her reason for going public. “I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so,” she wrote on X, pleading for the press to respect her son’s privacy.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, offered St. Clair $15 million and $100,000 monthly in child support to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) barring her from discussing Musk or their child. The deal, reportedly similar to arrangements with other mothers of Musk’s children, also prohibited St. Clair from speaking negatively about Musk while allowing him to comment freely about her. St. Clair, however, refused, telling Birchall, “I don’t want my son to feel like he’s a secret.”

In a bombshell interview with The Wall Street Journal, St. Clair revealed her counter-demand: $30 million upfront and $500,000 monthly until Romulus turns 21. She argued that Musk’s offer lacked provisions for critical needs like child health protections, security, or a trust fund in case of Musk’s death. “The amount he offered was nowhere near enough to secure my son’s future,” St. Clair said, accusing Musk of prioritizing control over their child’s well-being.

A Relationship Shrouded in Secrecy

St. Clair and Musk’s relationship began in early 2024, with Romulus conceived in January during Musk’s vacation in St. Barts. St. Clair claimed Musk was open about wanting children, even asking her to “pick a name” early in their romance. During her pregnancy, Musk allegedly sent her $2 million—half of which was structured as a loan—to cover expenses, and instructed her to stay out of the public eye to keep their relationship under wraps. St. Clair complied, but tensions arose when Musk’s team urged her to omit his name from Romulus’s birth certificate and sign confidentiality agreements post-birth, which she resisted.

Musk, father to at least 14 children with four women, including musician Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, has a history of negotiating financial agreements with co-parents, many of which remain private. However, his public disputes with St. Clair have shone a spotlight on his approach to fatherhood and financial control. In a March 31, 2025, X post, Musk claimed he was providing St. Clair $2.5 million and $500,000 annually despite not knowing “for sure” if Romulus was his, a statement that conflicted with the confirmed paternity test.

St. Clair fired back on X, accusing Musk of refusing a paternity test before Romulus’s birth and cutting child support by 60% to “punish” her for going public. “You weren’t sending me money, you were sending support for your child… until you withdrew most of it to maintain control,” she wrote, adding, “You’re really only punishing your son.”

Public Fallout and Financial Struggles

The dispute escalated in late March 2025 when St. Clair, a single mother also raising a three-year-old son from a previous relationship, sold her Tesla Model S to offset the alleged reduction in child support. In a Daily Mail video, she handed over the car keys outside her Manhattan apartment, stating, “I need to make up for the 60% cut that Elon made to our son’s child support.” A source close to St. Clair told Daily Mail that Musk’s cuts were retaliatory, triggered by her decision to pursue custody and paternity proceedings.

Musk denied the retaliation claims, writing on X, “I don’t know if the child is mine or not, but am not against finding out. No court order is needed.” His contradictory statements—acknowledging financial support while questioning paternity—have fueled public skepticism and criticism. St. Clair, undeterred, called Musk a “petulant man-child” on X, demanding he “grow up” and prioritize their son’s needs.

A Battle Over Control and Transparency

St. Clair’s rejection of Musk’s offer has sparked broader conversations about wealth, influence, and the ethics of NDAs in high-profile relationships. Critics argue Musk’s proposed agreement, which allowed him to speak freely while silencing St. Clair, reflects a pattern of exerting control over his co-parents. Supporters, however, point to Musk’s financial contributions—$2.5 million and $500,000 annually, per his claims—as evidence of his commitment despite ongoing disputes.

The controversy has also drawn attention to Musk’s complex family dynamics. With 14 known children, including a fourth child with Zilis announced in February 2025, Musk has described his desire for a “legion-level” of offspring. Yet, his estranged daughter with ex-wife Justine Wilson and public feuds with Grimes over their children’s privacy suggest strained relationships with some co-parents and offspring.

What’s Next for St. Clair and Musk?

As St. Clair and Musk navigate their legal and public battle, Romulus remains at the center of the storm. St. Clair, who has stepped back from her influencer spotlight to focus on her children, continues to advocate for her son’s privacy and financial security. Her demand for $30 million and $500,000 monthly has raised eyebrows, with some praising her boldness and others questioning her motives, especially after earlier accusations from Musk and others that she planned to “baby trap” him.

Musk, meanwhile, faces mounting scrutiny over his personal and financial dealings. His cryptic X posts and refusal to fully acknowledge Romulus’s paternity have only intensified the drama, leaving observers wondering whether the billionaire will meet St. Clair’s demands or escalate the feud further.

For now, the world watches as two polarizing figures clash over money, power, and a child’s future. Will St. Clair secure the settlement she seeks, or will Musk’s wealth and influence shape the outcome? Only time—and perhaps a courtroom—will tell.

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, PEOPLE, The Daily Mail, Hindustan Times, Globalnews.ca, X posts