Elon Musk’s $1 Million Per Day Giveaway Sparks Legal Concerns in Trump Campaign Support
Musk’s Bold Initiative Raises Questions
Elon Musk, billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is making waves with his latest political move. Musk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, has pledged to give away $1 million daily to voters who sign a petition backing the U.S. Constitution. However, the initiative, launched by Musk’s political action committee (PAC), has come under immediate legal scrutiny.
Some election law experts argue that the giveaway may violate laws prohibiting financial incentives for political actions, such as registering to vote or signing petitions. The connection between the cash reward and voter registration has raised significant legal concerns about its impact on the integrity of the electoral process.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Rick Hasen, a political science professor at UCLA, has been one of the most vocal critics of Musk’s move. On his Election Law Blog, Hasen wrote, “Though maybe some of the other things Musk was doing were of murky legality, this one is illegal.” The crux of the issue is a law that prohibits payment for voter registration or voting, and Musk’s offer may be seen as violating this law by making registration a condition for eligibility.
If found illegal, the consequences could be substantial, potentially including fines or legal penalties. “Only registered voters are eligible for the cash prizes, which crosses a legal line,” Hasen explained.
Political Reactions and Concerns
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and former state attorney general, voiced concerns during a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Shapiro questioned the legality of Musk’s $1 million-per-day giveaway, raising issues about potential “dark money” influence, a term referring to undisclosed political contributions. “There are real questions about how he’s spending money in this race and how dark money is flowing into the pockets of Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro stated.
Musk’s PAC Tour and the Giveaway
Musk’s America PAC has launched a tour across Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, offering $1 million daily to petition signers. On Saturday, Musk presented the first check to a Pennsylvania voter, John Dreher, during an event in Harrisburg. The petition reportedly promotes the First and Second Amendments, with Musk’s efforts aiming to boost voter registration and support for Trump.
Campaign Finance Laws Under Scrutiny
Brendan Fischer, a campaign finance lawyer, highlighted the legal risks of the giveaway. According to Fischer, linking the petition to voter registration could make the initiative legally questionable. “Conditioning the registration payments arguably violates the law,” Fischer said, adding that this effort could be seen as incentivizing voter registration in exchange for financial reward, which lies in a legal gray area.
Michael Kang, an election law professor at Northwestern University, echoed these concerns. He noted that the giveaway’s proximity to Election Day intensifies legal risks. “It’s not quite the same as paying someone to vote, but it’s close enough that it raises legal concerns,” Kang remarked.
Conclusion
As Elon Musk intensifies his efforts to bolster Trump’s support in crucial swing states, legal experts and political figures are closely monitoring his $1 million-per-day giveaway. While the full legal implications are still under review, the controversy highlights concerns over the intersection of wealth, political influence, and election law, keeping public attention focused on this contentious issue.