Musk due in court as $1 million voter giveaway faces courtroom test

Elon Musk has been ordered to attend a hearing in a prosecutor's lawsuit to block the billionaire's $1 million-a-day giveaway to registered swing state voters ahead of the US election on November 5.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has filed a lawsuit to block Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day giveaway to registered swing state voters, with a court hearing set for October 31, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

The legal action, brought just days before the U.S. presidential election, is intended to halt what Krasner alleges is an "illegal lottery scheme" aimed at influencing voters in the Nov. 5 contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The lawsuit targets both Musk, CEO of Tesla, and America PAC, his political action committee, accusing them of deploying a daily $1 million giveaway for participants who signed a petition in support of free speech and gun rights. Eligibility is limited to registered voters in seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. On October 19, Musk awarded the first $1 million prize to an attendee at an America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Krasner’s filing argues that the giveaway operates as an unsanctioned lottery, which only the state is authorized to conduct, and further asserts it violates consumer protection laws by using “deceptive, vague or misleading statements.” The lawsuit calls for an injunction to immediately stop Musk and America PAC’s operations, alleging they undermine the integrity of Pennsylvania’s consumer protections ahead of the November election.

The U.S. Department of Justice has previously issued a warning to America PAC, raising concerns that the scheme may violate federal laws regarding compensation for voting or voter registration. However, Krasner’s lawsuit, filed in Pennsylvania state court, does not address federal law violations.

The billionaire’s America PAC has reportedly received nearly $120 million from Musk, making it central to Trump’s re-election campaign. Musk, who has become an outspoken Trump supporter, has amplified his support for Republican causes in recent months. Trump, in turn, has promised to appoint Musk to a government efficiency commission if re-elected.

Representatives for Musk and America PAC have not yet commented on the lawsuit. The court hearing before Judge Angelo Foglietta is expected to clarify whether the giveaway will continue through Election Day or be halted in compliance with Krasner’s demands.

By Khagan Isayev