Elon Musk Offers $1 Million Daily to Swing State Voters to Sign America PAC Petition

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his ventures such as Tesla and SpaceX, has again grabbed headlines. This time, he is offering $1 million a day until Election Day to registered voters in swing states who sign a petition for his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC. Musk’s involvement in the election, which includes a Pennsylvania speaking tour, is intended to boost voter registration in support of Donald Trump. With the deadline approaching, this move has sparked controversy and garnered significant public attention.

Elon Musk’s Million-Dollar Campaign to Influence Swing States

On Saturday, Elon Musk announced at an America PAC event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that he would give away $1 million daily to registered voters who sign a petition supporting his pro-Trump political action committee. Musk declared, “I have a surprise for you,” as he introduced the giveaway during the event, making it clear that the cash prize is available every day leading up to the election.

Dramatically, Musk called John Dreher, a petitioner in attendance, to the stage and handed him a massive check to represent his promise. “I think this is kind of fun, and you know, it seems like a good use of money,” Musk stated. Elon Musk, whose net worth is almost $250 billion, added that driving voter registration is an essential mission, mainly in states he believes are pivotal to determining the election outcome.

Musk’s Focus on Pennsylvania – The “Linchpin” State

Musk has embarked on a speaking tour in Pennsylvania, urging voters to support Donald Trump. He stressed the importance of Pennsylvania, calling it the “linchpin” of the upcoming election. “How Pennsylvania goes, I think, is how the election goes,” Musk said. The petition campaign comes as Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline approaches. The petition, posted on the America PAC website, stipulates that to be eligible for the $1 million prize, signees must be registered voters from crucial swing states, namely Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin.

Legal Concerns Over Musk’s Initiative

While Elon Musk’s initiative may be seen by many as a fun and lucrative opportunity, it has raised legal and ethical questions. In a blog post, Rick Hasen, a UCLA law professor and NBC election law analyst, wrote that Musk’s effort could potentially violate federal election laws. Expressly, these laws prohibit any form of voter registration or voting payment. “Certain things in this country can be sold, and certain things we have decided should not be for sale,” Hasen commented, emphasizing that the political process should not be distorted by wealthy individuals attempting to influence voters.

Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro also voiced his concerns in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” calling Musk’s proposal “deeply concerning” and suggesting that law enforcement might need to examine it more closely.

Musk’s Controversial Comments and Anti-Government Rhetoric

Musk has used his platform at pro-Trump events to promote voter registration, float conspiracy theories, and share his dissatisfaction with U.S. regulations. During his appearances, Musk characterized President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as “replaceable puppets” and even alluded to controversial comments about Kamala Harris’s safety.

Musk said, “No one’s even bothering to try to kill Kamala, you know, because there’s no point,” a statement that has caught the attention of the Secret Service. Musk clarified that he wasn’t suggesting harm, yet the comment has been widely criticized as inappropriate and unnecessary. He shared his distrust of government agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other regulatory bodies. “We should not trust the government. We just shouldn’t. Even if I’m in the government, don’t trust the government,” Musk told his audience in Harrisburg.

A History of Government Scrutiny

Musk’s companies have relied heavily on government contracts and funding. Nevertheless, he has criticized government agencies for what he considers overreach, citing examples such as the $140,000 fine imposed on SpaceX for dumping potable drinking water at the Starbase facility in Texas. As CNBC previously reported, SpaceX has been found in violation of the Clean Water Act for discharging hot, industrial wastewater into wetlands around Boca Chica, Texas, a matter that the EPA continues to scrutinize.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s offer to provide $1 million daily to swing state voters who sign his America PAC petition has added an unexpected twist to the 2024 election. While some see this as an innovative way to motivate voter registration, others are deeply concerned about its legality and ethical implications. As the election nears, the move may still energize pro-Trump supporters, whether such actions will withstand legal scrutiny or result in consequences for Musk and his America PAC. With Pennsylvania labeled as the linchpin of the election, all eyes will be on the outcome of Musk’s controversial initiative.