Elon Musk and conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair are set to battle over custody and paternity claims behind closed doors after a dramatic legal development.

According to Daily Mail, the Tesla CEO and X owner has successfully moved to seal the case from public view, with previously available court filings now hidden and future hearings to be conducted privately.

The legal dispute centers around St. Clair's claims that she and Musk share a son born in September 2024. She filed for sole custody and requested Musk take a paternity test, maintaining that he has only met the child three times since birth and has shown little interest in custody arrangements.

Inside the high-profile custody dispute

Court documents reveal that St. Clair, 26, alleges she and Musk, 53, began a romantic relationship around May 2023. She claims the child was conceived on the island of St. Barts and that Musk was not present for the birth.

The MAGA influencer says Musk first met their alleged son on September 21, 2024, in New York City for two hours. According to her filing, they spent another hour together the following day, followed by a brief 30-minute meeting in Austin, Texas.

In her legal petition, St. Clair included exhibits that appear to support her claims, including a photo of Musk holding her baby and text message exchanges between them. One message exchange from the day of the child's birth shows St. Clair sending Musk a delivery room photo of her holding the newborn.

Text messages reveal complex relationship

The court filings include alleged text exchanges that offer glimpses into the pair's relationship. In one conversation, Musk reportedly expressed interest in having more children with St. Clair, writing: "I want to knock you up again."

Other messages show Musk discussing security concerns, telling St. Clair about "credible death threats," and claiming he was "#2 after Trump for assassination." He referenced these security issues as justification for keeping their relationship discreet.

The text exchanges also reveal apparent tension between the pair. St. Clair wrote that their relationship "broke down" when Musk's right-hand man Jared Birchall "got involved," claiming Birchall said "horrible things" she believed were attributed to Musk.

Public announcement and legal developments

St. Clair publicly announced her claim about having Musk's baby on Valentine's Day 2025, stating she had previously kept the information private to protect their child's "privacy and safety." She explained her decision to come forward was prompted by tabloid media intending to publish the story.

Shortly after her announcement, Musk posted a cryptic message on X, responding with laughing emojis to a fan who described making "another baby" as one of Musk's "side quests."

The case has now taken a significant turn with Musk's successful move to seal the proceedings. His attorney, Alyssa Rower, filed the notification for sealing on Sunday according to New York courts online service, after St. Clair's lawyer had previously accused Musk of "unnecessary gamesmanship" for failing to acknowledge the suit or appoint legal representation.

Implications for Musk's growing family

If St. Clair's claims are verified, this would be Musk's 13th child, expanding his already large family. The billionaire entrepreneur has previously fathered 12 children with three different women.

Musk has been vocal about his desire for a large family, once claiming that "civilization is going to crumble" if people don't have more children. His comments align with his actions, as his family has continued to grow over the years.

The DailyMail.com also reported that St. Clair moved into an expensive Manhattan apartment near City Hall about a year ago, with monthly rent estimated between $12,000 and $15,000.

Sealed proceedings ahead for high-profile dispute

St. Clair's attorney, Karen Rosenthal, confirmed the new development in a statement: "The courtroom will be closed and the Record sealed. Other than that, I have no comment."

The custody battle that was scheduled for late May will now proceed behind closed doors, shielding both parties from public scrutiny. This development marks a significant shift in the high-profile case that has drawn considerable media attention.

Elon Musk and Ashley St. Clair's legal dispute over paternity and custody arrangements will continue in private after a court granted Musk's request to seal the case. The MAGA influencer claims the tech billionaire fathered her son born in September 2024, which would make the child Musk's 13th if confirmed through the requested paternity test.