A Pennsylvania state judge has sanctioned Elon Musk’s ambitious $1 million-per-day voter incentive programme for the US presidential election. The giveaway, which targets voters in key battleground states, comes as the race tightens between Democratic contender Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the latter receiving Musk’s backing.
Initiated on October 19, Musk pledged to distribute a $1 million check daily to voters from seven swing states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — who endorsed his petition advocating for free speech and gun rights. To date, Musk has allocated $16 million to participants meeting these criteria. The final selection of the grand prize winner is slated for election day, according to Musk’s legal representatives.
Controversial Programme
The initiative has sparked controversy, with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner labelling the giveaway a "scam" that breaches state election regulations. Krasner has sought to terminate the program, arguing that it undermines the integrity of the electoral process. In response, Musk’s legal team contended that the recipients are predetermined representatives rather than random winners, effectively serving as paid advocates for Musk’s political stance.
Chris Gober, Musk’s attorney, stated, “The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow." This assertion underscores the selective nature of the giveaway, which is limited to registered voters in the aforementioned states deemed crucial for the election outcome.
The legal challenge centred on Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and a critical state with 19 electoral votes essential for securing the presidency. Chris Young, head of Elon Musk’s America PAC, testified that beneficiaries undergo a thorough screening process to ensure their alignment with the organisation’s values and principles. Musk’s defence characterised the giveaway as a form of “core political speech,” emphasising that participants must sign a petition supporting the US Constitution’s first two amendments.
Despite the opposition, Judge Angelo Foglietta of the Common Pleas Court approved the giveaway without immediately explaining his decision. Musk’s team argued that Krasner’s attempt to halt the sweepstakes under Pennsylvania law is moot, as no further Pennsylvania winners will be chosen before the program concludes on Tuesday.
The giveaway has attracted substantial participation, with over one million individuals from the seven targeted states registering by endorsing the petition for free speech and gun rights. As the election approaches, Musk’s high-stakes promotion adds an unconventional twist to the already intense political landscape.
The outcome of this legal battle and the election itself remains to be seen, but Musk’s involvement undeniably adds a new dimension to the electoral process in one of the nation’s most contested states.