Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaway Can Continue Through U.S. Election, Judge Rules
A Pennsylvania judge has ruled that Elon Musk’s political action committee can continue its controversial $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes through the upcoming U.S. presidential election on Tuesday. This decision comes despite objections from local authorities, who claim the sweepstakes is a deceptive attempt to influence the election.
The Ruling
Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta allowed the sweepstakes to proceed after Musk’s legal team argued that the winners are paid spokespeople rather than randomly selected participants. The judge did not immediately provide a detailed explanation for his ruling. The District Attorney of Philadelphia, Larry Krasner, described the sweepstakes as a scam designed to manipulate the electoral process and sought its termination.
Musk’s lawyer, Chris Gober, confirmed that the final two recipients would be announced in Arizona and Michigan on the days leading up to the election. “The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance,” Gober stated, emphasizing that the recipients are vetted in advance to align with the PAC’s values.
Controversy Surrounding the Sweepstakes
Critics, including Krasner, argue that the sweepstakes violates Pennsylvania election law and contradicts Musk’s initial promise of a random selection process. Musk had previously stated during a campaign event with Donald Trump in Harrisburg that they would award a million dollars randomly to those who signed a petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution.
The PAC’s director, Chris Young, testified that winners are required to sign nondisclosure agreements, further complicating the transparency of the process. When pressed in court about the nature of the sweepstakes, Young admitted that the term “randomly” was not the best choice of words to describe the selection process.
The Stakes and Reactions
Musk, who has pledged over $70 million to the super PAC supporting Trump and other Republican candidates, did not attend the hearing. Krasner characterized the giveaway as political marketing disguised as a lottery, calling it a “grift.” He indicated that the first three winners were announced shortly after the sweepstakes began on October 19, coinciding with Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline.
The ongoing sweepstakes has registered over 1 million participants from key battleground states, including Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan. Participants are required to sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, raising concerns about how their personal data might be utilized beyond the election.
Legal and Political Implications
Krasner has not ruled out pursuing criminal charges related to the sweepstakes, as he is responsible for safeguarding both lotteries and election integrity. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, remains a crucial battleground, and both Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris have made numerous campaign stops in the state leading up to the election.
As the election approaches, the political landscape remains charged, with Musk’s sweepstakes adding another layer of complexity to an already contentious electoral environment.
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