Pennsylvania Judge Rules Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaways Can Continue
A Philadelphia judge has denied District Attorney Larry Krasner’s attempt to prevent billionaire Elon Musk from distributing $1 million daily to registered voters in swing states.
Judge Angelo Foglietta declined the DA's request to halt the giveaways immediately, following an argument from Musk’s attorney that the recipients aren’t selected randomly, refuting Krasner’s assertion that the campaign resembles an illegal lottery.
“The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow,” said Musk’s attorney, Chris Gober, according to the Associated Press.
Chris Young, who leads Musk’s America PAC, testified that the winners are intentionally selected so the PAC can “feel out their personality” and ensure alignment with the organization’s values.
Musk’s legal team also argued that the $1 million recipients are compensated for promoting America PAC and that stopping the distribution would infringe upon their “core political speech.” They further noted that Krasner’s efforts are moot, as no additional Pennsylvanians will be selected before Election Day, when the giveaway ends.
Since October 19, Musk has distributed $16 million to supporters who have signed his petition advocating for free speech and Second Amendment rights.
Eligible participants must be registered voters in one of seven pivotal states for the election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin. They must also meet the criteria to win the seven-figure prize.
In response to the discovery that recipients weren’t randomly chosen, Krasner denounced Musk’s program as a “grift.”
“This was all a political marketing masquerading as a lottery. That’s what it is. A grift. They were scammed for their information. It has almost unlimited use,” said the DA.
Musk, who has endorsed former President Donald Trump, is expected to announce the final prize recipient on Election Day.
Recent financial disclosures reveal Musk has become a prominent Republican “megadonor” after contributing $75 million to a pro-Trump super PAC he founded, Reuters reported.
America PAC, dedicated to voter mobilization in key states, spent about $72 million from July through September, per Federal Election Commission filings. This outpaces spending by any other pro-Trump PAC focused on voter engagement. Given Trump’s reliance on external organizations for voter outreach, Musk’s super PAC—the largest funded by the world’s wealthiest person—plays a crucial role in the competitive election between Trump and Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, Reuters added.
Musk was the sole contributor to the PAC during this timeframe.
Despite previously voting for Democratic presidential candidates, Musk has made a pronounced shift to the right this election cycle, publicly endorsing Trump in July and joining him at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.
Musk announced on Wednesday via X that he will be “giving a series of talks” across Pennsylvania, following his recent appearance with Trump in the state. Interested attendees only need to sign a petition on the America PAC website. His talks are scheduled “from tomorrow night through Monday.”
Last week, a Reuters source revealed Musk’s plans to increase his campaign efforts for Trump in Pennsylvania, a pivotal state for both Trump and Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
Musk’s contributions position him among top Republican megadonors, alongside figures like banking heir Timothy Mellon and casino billionaire Miriam Adelson. However, Reuters previously reported that Musk has been covertly funding conservative political organizations for years, long before his public support for Trump.
America PAC is focused on encouraging Trump supporters who do not typically vote to participate in this election, utilizing a high-intensity, targeted approach. Despite launching later than other PACs, the group has faced challenges, including staffing issues. Since July, it has cut ties with two main contractors hired to canvass neighborhoods.
Additionally, America PAC has encountered recruitment difficulties for doorknockers in several key states, partly due to other canvassing groups staffing up earlier in the election cycle, according to sources briefed on the matter.
Filings indicate the group had around $4 million remaining at the end of September.
In the same period, casino mogul Miriam Adelson contributed $95 million to the pro-Trump Preserve America PAC, according to separate filings, Reuters reported.