Elon Musk Ordered to Court Over $1M Voter Cash Giveaway Controversy

Elon Musk has been summoned to a Philadelphia court on Thursday following a lawsuit alleging his $1 million daily giveaways to registered voters may violate electoral laws. The giveaways, managed through Musk’s political group, America PAC, involve awarding cash prizes to voters in key battleground states who sign a petition and pledge support for the U.S. Constitution. Prosecutors argue the initiative might qualify as an “illegal lottery,” potentially influencing the upcoming election.

Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner, who filed the suit, emphasized the urgency, stating Musk “must be stopped, immediately, before the upcoming presidential election.” The case will be heard at 10:00 EST (14:00 GMT) in Philadelphia.

Musk, a supporter of Donald Trump, launched the program in early October, offering $1 million prizes to registered voters in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina. The cash giveaways are scheduled to run until November 5, days before the 2024 election, which is anticipated to be a tight race between Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

The giveaway has raised concerns as it requires participants to submit personal information, including addresses and phone numbers. While Musk has denied any wrongdoing, asserting the campaign is purely civic, officials argue that the practice may breach electoral rules. The court’s ruling could set an important precedent regarding election-related giveaways in the U.S.