Elon Musk has long argued that humanity’s future depends on increasing the global birthrate. But behind this public mission lies a private network of nondisclosure agreements, secret payments, and legal threats—revealed most starkly in the case of Ashley St. Clair, a conservative social media personality who recently fought Musk over financial support and recognition for their child, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to court documents and interviews, St. Clair asked for a paternity test in December 2023. At the time, she was advised by Jared Birchall, Musk’s longtime fixer and the head of his family office, that taking a legal route “always, always leads to a worse outcome.” Birchall reportedly told her Musk wasn’t convinced the child was his but offered $15 million and $100,000 per month in exchange for her silence.
When St. Clair refused to sign the NDA, the relationship soured. Musk stopped replying to her messages and gradually reduced her support payments. A New York court ultimately ordered Musk to take a paternity test, which confirmed with 99.9999% certainty that he is the father of the baby, named Romulus.
A pronatalist mission wrapped in secrecy
Musk, who has publicly warned about the dangers of population decline, has fathered at least 14 children with four known women. Associates and former partners say the actual number may be higher. Texts obtained by The Wall Street Journal show Musk discussing surrogacy and encouraging others to “make new humans” to reach “legion-level” numbers before an impending “apocalypse.”
The case with St. Clair sheds light on how Musk’s vision intersects with a network of NDAs and hush payments designed to protect his privacy—and control the narrative. Birchall told St. Clair on a two-hour call that privacy was “at the top of the list in every aspect” of Musk’s life. She was reportedly not allowed to name Musk on the birth certificate or publicly associate him with the child without risking financial penalties.
Money, politics, and control
Musk’s legal disputes with mothers of his children often involve similar terms: large one-time payments, ongoing monthly support, and gag clauses. But in the St. Clair case, the offer included no trust fund, no life insurance provision, and no additional funding for emergencies or security—something she found unacceptable. Her legal team says Musk’s representatives responded by weaponizing money, halving her support from $100,000 to $40,000 per month, and most recently, down to $20,000.
The battle has unfolded as Musk expands his influence in Washington. He’s currently serving in the Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, where he has pushed for deep federal spending cuts. Internal texts show that Musk’s engagement with St. Clair included discussions on Trump’s campaign strategy, possible VP picks, and even personal views on military strength and gender roles.
Women, power, and Musk’s inner circle
Other women in Musk’s orbit have had similar experiences. Musician Grimes, who has three children with Musk, has accused him of withholding their children during medical emergencies. Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive, has four children with Musk and reportedly holds “special status” among his partners, often appearing with him at diplomatic and political events.
St. Clair, for a time, was part of this inner circle. She received flowers on Mother’s Day, attended campaign rallies, and introduced her toddler to Musk’s children. But after going public with their relationship in February, the financial offers collapsed and litigation ensued. Her lawyers say the case highlights a system in which women are silenced and controlled with access to wealth tied directly to their compliance.
A court-ordered reckoning
As the legal battle plays out in New York’s Supreme Court, Musk’s control over his expanding “legion” of children is being tested. With the paternity test confirmed, the court may now determine formal child support terms—outside the tightly managed ecosystem Musk built through Birchall and NDAs.
“Marking this child as a secret felt wrong,” St. Clair said. “He deserves to know his father—not just as a paycheck, but as a person.”
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