Billionaire Elon Musk is once again using his extraordinary wealth to influence the presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and his rival Kamala Harris.
On Saturday, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX promised to donate US$1 million every day through the November election to registered voters in key swing states who sign his online petition supporting the US Constitution, “in favor of free speech and the right to bear arms.” “.
He said the award will go to a random signatory of the conservative-leaning petition issued by his campaign group, America PAC, which he created to support Trump’s bid to return to the White House.
He made good on his cash promise on Saturday, handing the large check to an attendee at a town hall event Saturday night.
The winner was a man named John Dreher, according to event staff.
“By the way, John had no idea. You’re welcome anyway,” the Tesla founder said as he handed Dreher the check.
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Musk said he aims to get at least 1 million signatures on his PAC petition. It is unknown how many signatures the petition currently has.
However, some experts are raising questions about the legitimacy of Musk’s million-dollar giveaway.
like Reported by BBCElection law expert and UCLA professor Rick Hasen wrote on his personal blog that he believes this tactic is “Obviously it’s illegal“, because federal law states that anyone who “pays, offers to pay, or accepts payment either in exchange for registering to vote or voting” faces a potential fine of $10,000 or a five-year prison sentence.
“And who can sign the petitions? Only registered voters in swing states, which makes it illegal,” Hasen wrote.
Hasen told NBC News on Sunday that Musk’s political action committee only makes payments to registered voters, not the general public at large, which is… It could make the scheme illegal.
“Essentially what you’re doing is you’re creating a lottery. You’re creating a lottery where the only people eligible to participate in the lottery are people who are registered to vote, or registered to vote, and that’s illegal,” Hasen said.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk jumps on stage as he arrives to speak at a town hall event hosted by America PAC in support of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oakes, Pennsylvania, on October 18. 2024. Musk will hold several events in the key swing state of Pennsylvania to support former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Ryan Collard/AFP via Getty Images
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also raised his concerns about the strategy on NBC News. Learn about journalism.
“Musk clearly has a right to be able to express his opinions. He’s made it very clear that he supports Donald Trump. I don’t. We obviously have a difference of opinion,” said Shapiro, a Democrat, adding: “I’m not denying him that.” True, but when you start flowing that kind of money into politics, I think… It raises serious questions“.
Musk began carrying a A series of individual events in support of Trump For president this week, he encouraged voters in Pennsylvania to register to cast ballots and vote early — even though he faced skepticism and rejection from crowds.
Trump has for years sown doubt about mail and early voting by claiming it is rife with fraud, even though voter fraud is rare in the United States. This year, Republicans are making renewed efforts to encourage their supporters to vote early and secure ballots, though they acknowledge skepticism on the part of those swayed by Trump’s false claims.
Saturday’s event was the third in as many days in Pennsylvania, where Musk is portraying the November election in stark terms.
He said on Saturday that if Harris wins, it will be “The last elections“, indicating that the United States will no longer exist.
He also said the two assassination attempts against Trump prove he is ruffling feathers and upending the status quo in ways Harris will not. That’s why no one is trying to kill Harris, he said.
“Assassinating a puppet is worthless,” Musk said, repeating the argument he made in a social media post.
— With files from Reuters and The Associated Press
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