Mr Musk has never confirmed that he fathered a child with Ms St. Clair.

Responding to the claim, Mr Musk said on Monday: “I don’t know if the child is mine or not, but am not against finding out. No court order is needed.

“Despite not knowing for sure, I have given Ashley $2.5m and am sending her $500k/year.”

In February she used X – Mr Musk’s social media platform – to claim the tycoon, who is now heading Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, was the father of the child who was born last year.

“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,” she wrote.

The boy is believed to be Mr Musk’s alleged 13th child.

She claimed their relationship started on X, when he sent her a direct message.

He gave a terse one-word response – “whoa” – to Ms St Clair’s February posting on X.

Request for genetic test

In February she also took Mr Musk to court, seeking sole custody of the child, known as “R.S.C”.

Ms St Clair claimed, in the court documents, that the child was conceived on the island of St Barts.

“I did not have sexual intercourse with any other male during the time the child was conceived,” she told the court.

“I am requesting an order for genetic testing to determine the paternity of the child,” she added.

In March Mr Musk announced the birth of a son named Seldon Lycurgus, who was born to Shivon Zilis, a Canadian executive at Neuralink, his neurotechnology firm. The boy is believed to be his 14th child.

The Telegraph has approached Mr Musk for comment.