Billionaire Elon Musk promised on Saturday that he would give $1 million every day until the November election to anyone who signs his online petition, with the first prize being awarded in a PAC program supporting Republican Donald Trump that would lead to the payout. Questions will be raised on its validity.
Musk presented a $1 million check to a man attending his America PAC event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, aimed at uniting supporters behind presidential candidate Trump. According to the event staff, the winner was a man named John Dreher.
“By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you’re welcome,” the Tesla founder said, handing Dreher the check.
The money is the latest example of Musk using his extraordinary wealth to influence the hotly contested presidential race between Trump and his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris.
Musk launched America PAC, a political action organization he founded in support of Trump’s presidential campaign. The group is helping organize and register voters in battleground states, but there are signs it is having trouble meeting its goals.
‘Deeply concerned’
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that Musk’s plan to give money to registered voters in Pennsylvania is “deeply concerning” and “it’s something that law enforcement may look into.” “
Questions arose Saturday night about the legality of these cash payments, as election law experts pointed to various provisions in federal law that prohibit making cash payments to voters.
Making payments with the intent to induce or reward people to vote or register is a federal crime, punishable by prison. The Justice Department’s election-crime manual states that prohibition includes not only monetary expenditures, but anything of monetary value, such as alcohol or lottery chances.
The Harrisburg event was the third in as many days in Pennsylvania, where Musk has been painting the November election in stark terms and encouraging supporters to vote early and encourage others to do the same.
He said Saturday that if Harris won, it would be the “last election.”
He also said that the two assassination attempts against Trump prove that he is creating a nuisance and subverting the status quo.
The petition Musk is asking people to sign reads: “The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I show my support for the First and Second Amendments.” “I am promising.”
Attendees at Saturday’s event were required to sign a petition, which allows America PAC to obtain contact details for more potential voters so it can work to get to the polls for Trump.
Musk, ranked by Forbes as the world’s richest man, has so far supplied at least $75 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, making the group a key part of Trump’s bid to recapture the White House. Has become an important part of the dialect.
The entrepreneur behind carmaker Tesla and rocket and satellite venture SpaceX has increasingly supported Republican causes and become a vocal Trump supporter this year.
Trump, in turn, has said that if elected he would appoint Musk to head the Government Efficiency Commission.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
