Elon Musk Promises to Give $1M Daily to Pennsylvania Voters

Billionaire Elon Musk has announced a controversial plan to give away $1 million (£766,000) daily to a registered voter in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, until the US presidential election on November 5.

The winner will be randomly chosen from those who sign a pro-constitution petition through Musk’s campaign group, America PAC, which he established to support Republican nominee Donald Trump’s bid for a return to the White House.

The first $1 million cheque was awarded at a town hall event on Saturday night, surprising the recipient. Musk’s offer is seen as an effort to motivate potential Trump voters during the final, critical weeks of the campaign. However, the legality of the giveaway has sparked intense debate, with some experts questioning whether it violates election laws.

Election law expert Rick Hasen expressed concerns about Musk’s offer, calling it “illegal.” Federal law prohibits offering payments to encourage voter registration or voting, with violations carrying a potential $10,000 fine or up to five years in prison.

Although Musk’s petition asks voters to sign to support free speech and gun rights, Hasen noted that the offer specifically targets registered voters in swing states like Pennsylvania, which could make it unlawful.

Participants who sign the petition must provide their contact details, which could allow AmericaPAC to follow up with them regarding their vote. This has led to further concerns about the potential misuse of voter data, a common tactic in political campaigns. Campaigns often collect such data through petitions, surveys, or merchandise sales to create targeted outreach efforts or raise funds from likely supporters.

Musk’s strategy is not entirely new. He had previously offered $47 to anyone who could get a registered swing-state voter to sign the petition. While some experts raised concerns about that tactic, it might fall within a legal loophole because it didn’t involve direct payment for voting. Nonetheless, the introduction of money into the voter identification process has drawn scrutiny.

Federal law prohibits providing payments to incentivise voting or voter registration, not only for a particular candidate but for casting a ballot. This rule was famously highlighted in 2008 when ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s initially planned to give free ice cream to voters with an “I Voted” sticker but later offered the treat to everyone to avoid legal issues.

On Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, voiced his concerns about Musk’s actions, calling the giveaway “deeply concerning.” During an NBC News ‘Meet the Press’ interview, Shapiro urged law enforcement to investigate whether the payments violate federal election laws.

Musk, who has become an influential supporter of Donald Trump in recent years, founded America PAC in July to support the former president’s campaign. So far, Musk has donated $75 million (£57.5 million) to the group, quickly becoming a significant player in Trump’s re-election efforts. Trump’s campaign relies heavily on outside groups like the American PAC to canvass voters and boost support in crucial battleground states.

According to the AmericaPAC website, the organisation was created to promote secure borders, safe cities, responsible spending, a fair justice system, free speech, and the right to self-protection. Musk stated that his goal is to gather support from over a million, or possibly two million, voters in battleground states for the petition, which focuses on the First and Second Amendments.

“The petition sends a crucial message to our elected politicians,” Musk said, emphasising his belief in the importance of these rights.

According to’ Forbes’, Musk has the financial power to influence the campaign as the world’s richest person, with an estimated net worth of $248 billion (£191 billion). His efforts primarily focus on key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada, which are expected to be decisive in the 2024 presidential race.