Elon Musk's daily giveaway of $1 million to registered voters in key swing states could be breaking the law, election law experts have warned. The Tesla CEO announced that until the presidential election on November 5, he would award a large cash sum to a random registered voter from seven swing states who signed his America PAC petition supporting the First and Second Amendments.
Two residents in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, were the first recipients over the weekend. However, Derek Muller, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, told CNN that limiting prizes to registered voters raises bribery concerns. 'When you start limiting prizes or giveaways to only registered voters or only people who have voted, that’s where bribery concerns arise,' he said.
Muller warned that offering free money to already registered voters before the prize draw was announced would violate federal law, but the offer to unregistered voters was 'far more problematic' as it could be seen as persuasion to register. Former Justice Department official David Becker criticised the giveaway as 'strong evidence' Musk is trying to influence the race by targeting only seven swing states, stating, 'This isn’t a particularly close case; this is exactly what the statute was designed to criminalize.'
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also voiced concern, calling the gifts 'dark money' that law enforcement should investigate. Musk launched the incentive at a Harrisburg town hall on Saturday, where Pennsylvania man John Dreher became the first winner, followed by Kristine Fishell. The giveaways have sparked controversy and backlash online.
