Elon Musk’s plan to give away $1 million to registered voters who sign his petition supporting free speech and the Second Amendment is sparking serious controversy.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania voiced deep concerns over the legality of this initiative, suggesting it’s something law enforcement should look into. While Musk has openly endorsed former President Donald Trump and is using this massive financial incentive to rally support, the question many are asking is whether this crosses a legal line.
Here’s the crux of the issue: Musk’s America PAC requires people to be registered voters to be eligible for the daily million-dollar giveaway, which election law experts say could be problematic. As UCLA law professor Rick Hasen explained, federal law prohibits making payments tied to voting or voter registration.
Musk may not be asking people to vote a certain way or at all—he’s even said you don’t have to vote—but that doesn’t let him off the hook. Simply incentivizing people to sign a petition because they’re registered voters is enough to trigger concerns under election bribery laws.
BREAKING: Josh Shapiro threatens to have Elon Musk arrested for handing out money to town hall attendees who sign his America petition pic.twitter.com/vi4LMGu8Gi
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 20, 2024
Shapiro wasn’t pulling punches during his interview on Meet the Press, but he also made it clear that his criticism wasn’t politically driven. The governor acknowledged that Musk has every right to express his views and support Trump, but when cash starts flowing into politics, the stakes—and the scrutiny—get higher.
Election law professor Hasen pointed to a federal statute that prohibits offering payments to people for voter registration or voting itself, noting, “You’re creating a lottery where the only people eligible to participate are those who are registered voters, and that’s illegal.”
Hasen added that Musk could be prosecuted, though it’s unclear whether federal authorities will move forward with legal action or simply warn Musk to stop.
Meanwhile, Musk has already awarded $1 million to the first two winners, creating a media frenzy. John Dreher, sporting a MAGA hat, was the first recipient, and Kristine Fishell, another supporter, took the stage at a Pittsburgh rally to claim her oversized check. Both winners were thrilled, showering Musk with praise for his commitment to free speech.
