Recommended Free Tools
The claim that Nicole Shanahan had an affair with Elon Musk remains a disputed allegation, not an established fact. The Wall Street Journal reported an alleged brief affair in December 2021; Shanahan’s attorney and Musk denied it, while the Journal said it stood by its reporting. PEOPLE’s July 2023 exclusive was presented as Shanahan “moving on” and telling her own story, but the available listing does not provide enough detail to attribute specific interview remarks to her.
What the Wall Street Journal reported—and what the people involved said
In July 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Shanahan had a brief affair in December 2021. That was the Journal’s allegation; the available reporting does not establish it as fact.
Shanahan’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, rejected the claim, saying: “Make no mistake, any suggestion that Nicole had an affair with Elon Musk is not only an outright lie but also defamatory.” Musk separately denied a romantic relationship: “I’ve only seen Nicole twice in three years, both times with many other people around. Nothing romantic.” The Journal defended its reporting through a spokesperson: “We are confident in our sourcing, and we stand by our reporting.” These statements were reported contemporaneously by The Independent and E! News.
What was in Shanahan’s PEOPLE exclusive?
PEOPLE published its exclusive interview on July 6, 2023, with the headline “Nicole Shanahan ‘Moving On’ 1 Year After Alleged Elon Musk Affair, Sergey Brin Split.” The available video listing says Shanahan was telling her own story after the 2021 split. It does not establish the interview’s full Q&A or support additional specific quotations or claims about what she said.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
That distinction matters: the headline frames the interview in relation to both the allegation and the end of Shanahan’s marriage, but it does not prove the allegation or explain the reasons for the divorce. The listing is available at PEOPLE.
What is known about Shanahan and Sergey Brin’s split?
TIME reported in July 2022 that Shanahan and Brin had announced plans to divorce in June, citing irreconcilable differences. The Washington Post later reported that their divorce became final in May 2023. Those timeline details do not establish that the alleged affair caused the marriage to end. The available sources report the alleged affair and the divorce as related points of public coverage, not as proof of a cause-and-effect link.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
TIME identified Shanahan as an attorney and research fellow at Stanford’s CodeX, and reported that she founded ClearAccessIP, acquired by IPwe in 2020, and started the Bia-Echo Foundation in 2019. That background helps identify her, but it does not resolve the allegation. The timeline and background were reported by TIME. A later Washington Post profile dated October 23, 2024 covers Shanahan’s subsequent political activity and public profile and notes that Shanahan and Musk had publicly denied a sexual relationship; it is later context, not contemporaneous verification of the 2021 allegation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the competing accounts
| Speaker or source | What it says | What that establishes |
|---|---|---|
| The Wall Street Journal | Reported an alleged brief affair in December 2021. | A published allegation; the report alone does not make the claim an established fact. |
| Bryan Freedman, Shanahan’s attorney | Called the allegation an outright lie and defamatory. | Shanahan’s side’s emphatic denial, as reported by The Independent and E! News. |
| Elon Musk | Denied a romantic relationship and said he had seen Shanahan twice in three years, around other people. | Musk’s direct denial, as reported by The Independent. |
| Wall Street Journal spokesperson | Said the publication was confident in its sourcing and stood by its reporting. | The Journal’s defense of its reporting, not an independent resolution of the dispute. |
The record therefore supports describing a contested report and the responses to it. It does not support presenting the affair as confirmed, treating the denials as a formal finding, or asserting that the allegation caused Shanahan and Brin’s divorce.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsQuick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




