Pennsylvania Judge Allows Elon Musk's $1 Million-a-Day Voter Sweepstakes to Continue Ahead of Election

 

A Pennsylvania judge ruled on Monday that Elon Musk’s political action committee (PAC) can proceed with its $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes through Tuesday's presidential election. The decision by Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta came after Musk’s legal team argued that winners of the sweepstakes are not selected randomly.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner had previously labeled the sweepstakes a scam that violates state election law, seeking to halt the contest. In court, Musk’s attorney, Chris Gober, contended that the winners were not chosen by chance, but rather selected as potential spokespeople for the PAC's agenda.

"There is no prize to be won; instead, recipients must fulfill contractual obligations to serve as a spokesperson for the PAC," Gober explained during the hearing. The judge did not provide a reason for his ruling immediately following the court session.

The hearing occurred just one day before the anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in a fiercely competitive election. Musk’s PAC has shown substantial support for Trump, with reported spending in recent days reaching at least $169 million.

Musk’s sweepstakes is targeted at registered voters in seven critical swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. America PAC, the organization behind the sweepstakes, indicated that the final two winners would come from Arizona and Michigan, suggesting that the contest would likely continue even if it faced legal challenges in Pennsylvania.

Since October 19, Musk has been giving away $1 million each day to individuals who sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. Musk has increasingly voiced his support for Trump this year and actively promoted him on his social media platform, Twitter/X.

Krasner, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit against Musk and his PAC on October 28, arguing that the sweepstakes constitutes an illegal lottery that violates consumer protection laws. His office's attorney, John Summers, asserted that Gober's remarks indicated an acknowledgment of liability. He pointed out that Musk had previously described the process as “random,” yet the selection of winners involved pre-screening.

Krasner testified during the proceedings, stating that two residents of Pennsylvania had been “scammed for their information,” referring to the giveaway as a political marketing “grift.” He argued that Musk’s characterization of the process contradicted the information provided to voters entering the sweepstakes.

The legality of Musk's giveaway raises questions in the context of election law, with experts divided on whether it violates federal regulations against compensating individuals for voter registration. The U.S. Department of Justice has warned America PAC about potential violations, though no public action has been taken.

New federal disclosures reveal that Musk and America PAC have spent a staggering $169 million to support Trump, with expenditures nearly $40 million higher than the previous week. Over half of this amount, approximately $97 million, has been directed toward Musk’s contentious canvassing efforts.

As the election approaches, the influence of billionaire spending on campaigns raises concerns. David Kass, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, criticized the situation, stating, “Billionaire campaign spending on this scale drowns out the voices and concerns of ordinary Americans,” highlighting the alarming implications of such vast financial resources in political processes.