Elon Musk is making headlines once again, this time for pledging $1 million daily to voters in a controversial giveaway tied to his online petition. Despite a warning from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Musk has not backed down.
Experts in legal matters are raising red flags, suggesting that Musk’s initiative could breach federal laws against vote-buying, which may result in criminal repercussions.
Recently, the DOJ’s public integrity division notified Musk that his cash payouts “may violate federal law.”
The founder of SpaceX has committed to handing out $1 million each day until the election to a registered voter who backs an online petition supporting the First and Second Amendments, all on behalf of the pro-Trump America PAC. This petition is specifically aimed at voters in crucial swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
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Musk, who has openly endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 race, has donated over $75 million to Trump’s campaign and has actively participated in rallies supporting him.
Reportedly, the DOJ is apprehensive that Musk’s giveaway serves as a reward for individuals registering and voting for Trump.
Just this past Thursday, Musk’s Political Action Committee announced that Jason Cochran from Holland, Michigan, was the latest recipient of $1 million for signing the petition aimed at supporting the Constitution.
A delightful post on X captured Cochran holding a giant novelty check for the amount.
Other winners from the week include Brian Bauer of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Andy Steinle from Holly Springs, North Carolina, Shannon Tomei from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, and fellow Pennsylvanians John Dreher and Kristine Fishell.
One legal expert commented, “The primary requirement seems to be that entrants are registered voters in battleground states, making registration crucial before the election.” They further noted, “This seems more like a financial incentive for new voters to register quickly than anything else.”
“If this program was conducted outside an election context, it might be viewed differently. However, this giveaway could imply that participants are being paid to register, which presents risks for both parties involved,” they explained.
Despite these concerns, another expert stated, “In practical terms, the odds of prosecution for participants in the giveaway appear rather low.”
On October 19, during a launch event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Musk declared, “We aim to get over a million, possibly 2 million voters in key states to sign the petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. We will randomly award $1 million each day to those who participate in the petition until election day.”