Elon Musk speaks as part of a town hall event in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Folsom, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, October 17.
Source: ECNETNews
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and ally of former President Donald Trump, is launching a daily giveaway of $1 million to one Pennsylvania resident until November 5. To date, two individuals have already claimed the prize money after signing Musk’s America PAC petition, which supports Constitutional principles.
This unprecedented sweepstakes has sparked concerns among election law experts and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a former state attorney general and supporter of Vice President Harris’ campaign.
“I think it’s something that law enforcement should take a look at,” Shapiro commented on a recent broadcast, highlighting potential legal implications surrounding the initiative.
Musk unveiled the $1 million giveaway during an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which was part of his tour advocating for Trump’s candidacy.
“I have a surprise for you,” Musk announced, revealing a large check. “We are going to be awarding $1 million to individuals who have signed the petition—every day, from now until the election.”
Pennsylvania is a pivotal swing state in this election cycle, drawing intense attention from both Trump and Harris as they campaign throughout the region.
UCLA election law expert Richard Hasen stated that while petition sweepstakes may not initially appear illegal, a deeper examination raises significant concerns. He noted, “The requirement that participants be registered voters effectively turns this into a lottery designed for voters, which may violate federal election laws.”
Hasen criticizes Musk’s initiative as “clearly illegal” under statute 52 U.S.C. 10307(c) and the Department of Justice’s election manual. “Voters should make their decisions freely, without the influence of financial gain,” he emphasized.
Musk has expressed that the objective of the sweepstakes is to “maximize awareness of our petition to support the Constitution.” On Sunday, a second $1 million check was awarded to another petition signer.
Participants in this initiative pledge their commitment to uphold the First and Second amendments, focusing on free speech and the right to bear arms.
The deadline for voter registration in Pennsylvania is approaching on Monday.
The legality of the giveaway remains uncertain, as inquiries to Musk’s America PAC have gone unanswered. Potential repercussions for violating federal election law include a fine of $10,000 and up to five years in prison.
While it might be improbable for Musk to face such severe penalties, experts warn that continuation of the giveaway after receiving legal warnings could result in a more substantial legal predicament.
