Musk ordered to court over $1M voter giveaway ahead of US election

October 31, 2024
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Musk ordered to court over $1M voter giveaway ahead of US election

Photo credit: Reuters

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and X, has been ordered to attend a court hearing regarding a lawsuit filed by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

The lawsuit aims to block Musk's $1 million-a-day giveaway to registered swing state voters ahead of the U.S. presidential election on November 5.

The hearing, presided over by Judge Angelo Foglietta, is set to take place less than a week before the tightly contested election between Republican former president Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Krasner, known for his progressive stance, accuses Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, of orchestrating an "illegal lottery scheme to influence voters." Musk's giveaway promises $1 million daily to randomly selected individuals who sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights.

Participants must be registered voters in one of seven key states likely to decide the election outcome: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The first $1 million was awarded to an attendee of an October 19 rally hosted by America PAC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Krasner's lawsuit, filed on October 28, alleges that the giveaway constitutes an illegal lottery unsanctioned by the state, which holds exclusive authority to run and regulate such activities.

The suit also claims the giveaway violates consumer protection laws by using "deceptive, vague or misleading statements" about its rules.

"Running an illegal lottery and violating consumer protections is ample basis for an injunction and concluding that America PAC and Musk must be stopped, immediately, before the upcoming Presidential Election on November 5," the lawsuit states.

Some legal experts suggest that Musk’s giveaway could potentially violate federal laws against paying people to vote or register to vote. However, others argue that Musk is in the clear since participants are only required to sign a petition to enter.

Krasner's lawsuit, filed in a Pennsylvania state court, does not allege federal law violations.

The U.S. Department of Justice has warned America PAC that the giveaway could breach federal law, according to multiple news outlets, although federal prosecutors have not taken any public action.

Musk, ranked by Forbes as the world's richest person, has contributed nearly $120 million to America PAC, making the group a crucial part of Trump's campaign to regain the White House.

Musk has increasingly supported Republican causes and has become an outspoken Trump supporter this year. Trump has stated that if re-elected, he would appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission.

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