Judge rules Elon Musk can continue $1M voter giveaway

A Pennsylvania judge has ruled that Elon Musk’s America PAC can proceed with its $1 million daily giveaways to selected voters in swing states, dismissing efforts to halt the campaign. Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner had filed a lawsuit against the initiative, arguing it was an “illegal lottery.” However, Judge Angelo Foglietta allowed the initiative to continue, without immediately providing a detailed rationale for the decision, according to the Associated Press.

The daily giveaway, launched by America PAC last month, has been perceived as a lottery-like contest, with voters believing the winners were chosen randomly. However, a lawyer for Musk, Chris Gober, revealed in a Monday hearing that recipients are carefully selected by the PAC rather than picked randomly, contradicting earlier perceptions.

Gober explained that the $1 million recipients are deliberately chosen, with America PAC already having determined who will receive the final sums before Election Day. He further clarified that the PAC’s last $1 million award will go to a voter from Michigan, as reported by U.S. media outlets.

As part of the promotion, America PAC announced a man named Joshua in Arizona as Monday’s recipient. The organization continues to publicize the initiative on social media, stating that each day a chosen individual “earns” the sum as a spokesperson for the PAC. Musk initially promoted the initiative as a random daily prize for voters who signed a petition in support of the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

At a campaign event, Musk announced that the PAC would award $1 million daily to individuals who signed a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments, leading many to believe it was a lottery-style contest.

In a short amount of time, the United States Department of Justice voiced its concern regarding the legitimacy of the proposal, expressing apprehension that it would be in violation of election regulations because it would effectively be paying individuals to register as voters. Because of this, Krasner’s office decided to take legal action in order to put an end to the daily monetary prizes.

Musk, who has been a vocal backer of Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has utilised America PAC in order to get support in states that are considered to be significant swing states. In Pennsylvania, where recent polls indicate that Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, are in a close battle, his campaign has focused mostly on the state.

A representative from Krasner’s office called Gober’s admission in court a “complete admission of liability,” expressing concerns that America PAC was knowingly circumventing election laws by screening recipients and aligning them with the group’s values.

The court also reviewed video footage showing Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, describing the recipients’ role as spokespeople for the group, which prosecutors argue further complicates the legality of the campaign. America PAC’s director, Chris Young, testified that recipients are pre-screened to ensure alignment with the PAC’s principles. Additionally, those selected are required to sign non-disclosure agreements barring them from discussing the terms of their contracts.

The giveaway is scheduled to end on Election Day, with each selected voter continuing to receive $1 million until the final recipient is announced.