Ashley St. Clair is said to be stepping back from the public eye

A source told People: "It's been a difficult time but Ashley is focusing on caring for her children, which are and always have been her priority.

"She adores them and is committed to them."

Ashley, a writer, author and conservative media personality, made the claim about having Elon's child in a public statement on 14 February.

She said: "Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. 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."

Elon, 53, has not publicly addressed the claim and his representatives have not responded to requests for comment. But he did post on his social media platform X after another user alleged, without evidence, that Ashley had "plotted" to "ensnare" him: "Whoa."

In a now-deleted post on X on 15 February, Ashley wrote Elon had "not responded" to her or her team despite what she described as days of attempted communication.

A representative for Ashley said on social media she and the Tesla billionaire had been working on an "agreement about raising their child" and added: "We are waiting for Elon to publicly acknowledge his parental role with Ashley (and) to end unwarranted speculation."

Ashley told The New York Post that she first connected with Elon through direct messages on X before meeting him in San Francisco while on a work assignment.

She said she had given birth to a son but declined to reveal his name. She also has another child.

While Ashley did not provide "material proof" of Elon's paternity, she said she had met his mother, Maye Musk, as well as some of his other children.