Elon Musk’s $1m-a-day to Swing States Voters ‘ Worries Political Stakeholders
Elon Musk’s plan to give away $1 million daily to registered voters in key swing states until the US presidential election on November 5 has raised eyebrows.
The contest, organized by Musk’s campaign group AmericaPAC, requires participants to sign a pro-US Constitution petition, which some critics argue is a thinly veiled attempt to influence voting behavior.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has condemned Musk’s strategy as “deeply concerning” suggesting that law enforcement should investigate the payments.
Election law expert Rick Hasen also believes Musk’s offer is “clearly illegal,” citing federal laws that prohibit paying individuals to register to vote or cast ballots.
Musk’s approach may exploit a loophole, as participants aren’t directly paid to vote. However, the petition requires contact information, potentially allowing AmericaPAC to target voters.
In Pennsylvania, voters receive $100 for signing and $100 for referrals, while voters in other battleground states get $47 per referral.
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Donald Trump, when asked about the giveaway, claimed he hadn’t followed it but acknowledged Musk as a friend. Musk has donated $75 million to AmericaPAC, which supports Trump’s campaign.
Critics argue that Musk’s actions blur the lines between encouraging civic engagement and buying influence.
As the world’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $248 billion, Musk’s involvement has significant implications for the election’s outcome.