Musk’s $1 Million Daily Giveaway to Swing State Voters Raises Concerns

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, has announced a controversial initiative to give away $1 million a day to registered voters in key swing states until the U.S. presidential election on November 5. The random winners will be chosen from those who sign a pro-U.S. Constitution petition created by Musk’s campaign group, AmericaPAC, which supports Republican nominee Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House.

The first checks were distributed during a town hall event in Pennsylvania on Saturday night, with another given out on Sunday, much to the surprise of attendees.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed serious concerns about Musk’s approach, labeling it “deeply concerning.” During an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Shapiro suggested that law enforcement might need to investigate the payments.

The contest targets voters in pivotal battleground states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—all critical to deciding the next president.

Election law expert Rick Hasen voiced strong objections to Musk’s offer, stating on his personal blog that it appears “clearly illegal.” According to federal law, anyone who “pays or offers to pay or accepts payment for registration to vote or for voting” could face severe penalties, including fines up to $10,000 or a potential five-year prison sentence.

While Musk claims to be asking voters to sign a petition, Hasen raised doubts about the underlying motives. “Who can sign the petitions? Only registered voters in swing states, which is what makes it illegal,” said Hasen, who teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) law school.

Participants in the petition, which advocates for free speech and gun rights, must provide their contact information, potentially allowing AmericaPAC to reach out to them regarding their voting intentions.

Both Musk and AmericaPAC have been approached for comments on the legality and implications of this initiative.

Political campaigns often use tactics such as petition signing, surveys, or merchandise sales to build extensive databases of voter information. This data can then be utilized for targeted outreach and fundraising from supporters already engaged with the campaign.

In Pennsylvania, Musk is offering $100 to voters who sign the petition, plus an additional $100 for each person they refer who also signs. In other battleground states, the referral payout is $47.

Critics argue that this strategy, while seemingly clever, might exploit a loophole in U.S. election law, as participants are not being directly paid to vote. However, the introduction of money into the process raises ethical questions, particularly about identifying potential Trump supporters.

Federal law prohibits payments to incentivize voting, not just for a specific candidate but also to encourage individuals to cast a ballot. This regulation led to unique initiatives in the past, such as Ben & Jerry’s offering free ice cream to everyone on Election Day in 2008, despite initially planning to limit it to those with an “I Voted” sticker.

When questioned about Musk’s giveaway during a campaign event on Sunday, Trump remarked that he hadn’t been closely following the situation but noted that he frequently speaks with Musk, whom he considers a “friend.”

Musk, founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has emerged as a prominent supporter of Trump. He established AmericaPAC in July to bolster the former president’s campaign and has reportedly contributed $75 million (£57.5 million) to the organization, which has quickly become a key player in Trump’s election strategy.

AmericaPAC’s website outlines its mission to support values such as secure borders, safe cities, sensible spending, a fair justice system, free speech, and the right to self-protection.

Musk aims to rally “over a million, maybe two million” voters in battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendments. “I think it sends a crucial message to our elected politicians,” he stated.

As the world’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $248 billion (£191 billion) according to Forbes, Musk’s actions could have significant implications for the electoral landscape as the election approaches.