Pennsylvania Judge Allows Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaway to Continue.
In a surprising turn of events, a Pennsylvania judge has ruled that Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter giveaway can proceed despite allegations that the contest is an illegal lottery. The decision came after a day of surprising testimony where Musk’s aides admitted that the winners were hand-picked based on who would be the best spokespeople for his political agenda, rather than being chosen randomly as initially claimed.
Background of the Giveaway
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced the $1 million-a-day voter giveaway on October 19, 2024, as part of his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump. The contest was open to registered voters in seven key battleground states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—who signed a petition pledging to support free speech and gun rights. Musk promised to give away $1 million each day until the U.S. election on November 5, 2024.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed a lawsuit to block the giveaway, alleging that the payouts amounted to an illegal lottery with hazily defined rules. Krasner argued that Musk’s contest was designed to influence the election and violated state election law. During the court hearing, Musk’s aides admitted that the winners were preselected based on their alignment with the pro-Trump agenda.
Pennsylvania Judge Allows Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaway to Continue.
Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta denied Krasner’s request for an injunction to stop the giveaway. In his ruling, Foglietta stated that the contest was not an illegal lottery but rather a form of political speech. He emphasized that participants were asked to sign a petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution and that the winners were compensated for their role as spokespeople for Musk’s political action committee, America PAC.
The ruling has sparked a debate about the ethics and legality of using giveaways to influence elections. Critics argue that the contest was a thinly veiled attempt to sway voters, while supporters claim it was a legitimate form of political engagement. The decision also raises questions about the transparency and fairness of such contests in the future.
As the election approaches, the spotlight remains on Musk’s voter giveaway and its impact on the political landscape. The final two recipients of the $1 million prize will be announced in Arizona and Michigan, with the contest set to conclude on election day. The outcome of this legal battle and the effectiveness of the giveaway in influencing voters will be closely watched by political analysts and the public alike.
