A Pennsylvania judge ruled on Monday that Elon Musk’s political action committee can continue its $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes in swing states through Tuesday’s presidential election. This decision came after District Attorney Larry Krasner raised concerns that the process was a scam designed to influence a national election. Musk’s lawyers argued that the recipients are chosen based on specific criteria and are not selected by chance. The final two recipients before the election will be in Arizona and Michigan.
The director and treasurer of America PAC testified that the recipients are vetted ahead of time to ensure their values align with the group. Musk’s lawyers defended the effort, calling it core political speech as participants must sign a petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution. Krasner believed the giveaways violated state election law and contradicted Musk’s initial promise to randomly award $1 million to petition signers leading up to the election. The PAC made the recipients sign nondisclosure agreements, raising further questions about the transparency of the process.
Despite the legal proceedings, Musk’s attorney, Chris Gober, maintained that the $1 million sweepstakes were legal and in line with political marketing strategies. Krasner’s team expressed concerns about the potential misuse of data collected through the sweepstakes and questioned Musk’s role as the face of America PAC. The judge presiding over the case acknowledged that criminal charges could still be considered, as protecting the integrity of elections is a top priority.
Pennsylvania remains a critical battleground state with 19 electoral votes, attracting visits from both President Trump and Vice President Harris in the final hours of the campaign. Krasner suggested that civil damages could be sought for Pennsylvania registrants who participated in the sweepstakes. Musk’s involvement in various industries, including Tesla and SpaceX, has raised questions about the potential influence of his political actions through the PAC.
Overall, the $1 million daily voter sweepstakes organized by Elon Musk’s political action committee have sparked controversy and legal scrutiny in Pennsylvania. While the program is set to conclude after the election, questions remain about the transparency of the process and the impact on the electoral landscape. As swing states play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the presidential election, the ongoing legal battle highlights the intersection of money, politics, and the integrity of the democratic process.
