‘Poor Baby’: Ashley St. Clair Opens Up About Her and Elon Musk’s Son’s Name, Sparking Buzz

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, Musk offered St. Clair a $15 million one-time payment along with $100,000 per month in support in return for her silence about their child.

The agreement included keeping Musk’s name off the birth certificate and maintaining secrecy about their relationship. St. Clair agreed initially by complying with the request to omit Musk’s name from the birth certificate. However, she ultimately did not sign the full agreement.

The arrangement would have restricted St. Clair from discussing Musk in relation to their child or criticizing him publicly. If she violated those terms, she would be required to return the $15 million lump sum.

The contract did not include support in case the child became gravely ill, security provisions, a trust fund, or life insurance in the event of Musk’s death before their son turned 21. It also allowed Musk to speak negatively about St. Clair without similar limitations on his part.

One of the main points of concern for St. Clair was how the agreement might affect her son. She reportedly felt it would make Romulus feel illegitimate.

In addition, she sought a paternity test, which is a requirement for child-support agreements in New York, where she resides, according to her attorney Karen B. Rosenthal.

St. Clair also tried to address the situation directly with Musk, but said he ignored her texts. In February, after learning that a tabloid was preparing a story about their relationship, she preempted the news by posting on X, as shared 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 this post, Musk reportedly withdrew the $15 million offer. When court proceedings began over paternity testing and a gag order requested by Musk, the support offer was reduced to $40,000 per month, coinciding with a rise in St. Clair’s legal fees.

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 Musk for comment on Thursday, April 10, St. Clair said she did not receive the child support payment scheduled for the next day. Late on Tuesday, Musk’s team sent $20,000, effectively cutting her stipend in half again.

St. Clair disclosed that Musk’s representative, Jared Birchall, told her similar nondisclosure agreements had been made with other mothers of Musk’s children. Birchall was also the one who urged her to sign the confidentiality documents after Romulus was born.

Musk, known for his focus on space exploration, has previously stated on X that making humanity multiplanetary is essential to ensure “the long-term survival of humanity and all life as we know it.”.

Sources close to him noted that he is motivated by a belief that civilization is under threat due to a declining population. As part of that goal, Musk reportedly aims to help populate the Earth with individuals of high intelligence.

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 suggested they bring in additional women to accelerate the process. According to a text message reviewed by the Journal, he wrote, “To reach legion-level before the apocalypse, we will need to use surrogates.”.

He refers to his children as a “legion,” likening them to Roman military units that helped expand the empire’s reach.

In other private correspondence, Musk expressed fear about the risks of revealing his involvement, texting St. Clair that he considered himself the “#2 after Trump for assassination,” and adding that “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, she added, “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].”.

Later, in a 2022 Vanity Fair interview, Grimes — whose real name is Claire Boucher — shared deeper insight into the challenges and complexities of her relationship with Musk.

According to the article, she often goes by Grimes, Claire, or even “c,” referencing the scientific symbol for the speed of light.

Grimes explained that, especially after becoming a mother, much of her identity was overshadowed 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.

She became visibly uncomfortable during parts of the interview, indicating how sensitive and private the topic had become. At one point, when the interviewer heard a baby crying upstairs, Grimes laughed and confessed, “She’s a little colicky too,” confirming the arrival of her and Musk’s second child, a daughter known as Y.

While Grimes did not initially confirm 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 public view.

Grimes described the pregnancy with her first child as physically difficult, “I hemorrhaged. It was scary.” She also mentioned collapsing during late pregnancy due to nerve pressure, which required her to crawl instead of walk.

In the same interview, she said Musk and she were no longer traditionally “together,” explaining their relationship as “very fluid.”.

Elon Musk and Grimes head for dinner on May 4, 2021, in New York City | Source: Getty Images.

They lived in separate homes, saw each other regularly, and considered each other best friends. When asked whether they planned to expand their family, she said, “We’ve always wanted at least three or four.”.

Musk had previously confirmed their separation in 2021, attributing it to distance and demanding careers. He had been spending more time in Texas, near the SpaceX Starbase and a new Tesla Gigafactory, while Grimes was based in Los Angeles and later Austin, where she continued to raise X and work on new creative projects.