In a move that only Elon Musk could pull off, the billionaire announced on Saturday that he would give away $1 million each day until the upcoming election—provided that participants sign his online petition, but just how legal is it?
To enter the giveaway, attendees had to sign a petition that reads: “The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments.” This strategy helps America PAC gather contact details from potential voters to mobilise them for Donald Trump.
But not everyone is thrilled about Musk’s giveaway plan. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro voiced his concerns on NBC’s Meet the Press, calling it “deeply concerning” and suggesting that law enforcement might want to take a closer look. With questions swirling around the legality of these cash giveaways, election law experts have pointed out that making cash payments to voters could run afoul of federal laws.
As it turns out, it is illegal in the US to pay individuals with the intent of persuading them to vote or register—potentially landing Musk in hot water. The rules extend beyond cash, encompassing any form of monetary incentive, including the likes of alcohol or lottery tickets, according to the Justice Department’s manual on election crimes.
This cash splash is just the latest chapter in Musk’s saga of using his mega-fortune to make waves in the fiercely competitive race between Trump and Democratic challenger, Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk founded the political organisation America PAC to back Trump’s campaign and has been rallying the troops—mobilising voters in key battleground states. However, the PAC appears to be facing some challenges in hitting its goals, which adds a layer of intrigue to Musk’s extravagant gesture.
Musk’s Harrisburg event last weekend was the third in just as many days across Pennsylvania, where he’s been painting the upcoming election in dire terms, urging fans to vote early and rally their friends to do the same. He made a bold statement, declaring that if Harris wins, it could be “the last election.” He also pointed to the two assassination attempts against Trump as proof that the former president is shaking things up in a big way.
Musk, who Forbes ranks as the world’s richest person, has contributed at least $75 million to America PAC, solidifying its role as a key player in Trump’s bid for the White House. As the brains behind Tesla and SpaceX, and the current owner of X, Musk has increasingly backed Republican causes and is now a vocal supporter of Trump. In an interesting twist, Trump has even suggested that if elected, he’d appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission. What a sight that would be a sight to see!
The first lucky winner? A guy named John Dreher, who snagged a cool million at a PAC event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. But wait—was he expecting it? Not a chance. “By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you’re welcome,” Musk quipped as he handed over the hefty check.
