Elon Musk has sparked controversy with his recent announcement of a $1 million daily giveaway through his political action committee, America PAC, aimed at incentivizing Republican voter registration in key battleground states ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Speaking at a town hall in Pennsylvania, Musk explained that individuals who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments—and are registered voters in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan—will be eligible for the random cash prize.
“We will be awarding $1 million randomly to people who have signed the petition,” Musk stated, emphasizing the challenge of gaining public awareness given the lack of coverage by traditional media.
However, legal experts quickly raised alarms about the initiative’s legality. Federal election law strictly prohibits offering financial incentives for voter registration. Rick Hasen, a UCLA law professor, criticized the move as “clearly illegal,” citing Justice Department guidelines that prevent financial inducements linked to voting. Brett Kappel, a campaign finance attorney, also pointed out that the lottery may reflect difficulties America PAC is facing in reaching its voter registration goals.
Despite the legal concerns, the first $1 million was awarded to John Dreher, who received the check during Musk’s Pennsylvania event. Dreher encouraged early voting in a video posted by the PAC, underscoring the potential obstacles that might prevent voters from casting their ballots on Election Day.
Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump and efforts to shape voter turnout are attracting attention, with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro cautioning that such large sums of money in politics could pose serious ethical questions. As the 2024 election approaches, Musk’s initiative highlights the ongoing debate about the influence of wealth in political campaigns.–News Desk