Elon Musk’s $1mn-a-day voter giveaway could violate US law, DoJ warns

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The US Department of Justice has warned Elon Musk’s political action committee it may be violating federal law after the world’s richest man pledged to award $1mn a day to registered voters who sign a petition.

The DoJ notified America Pac that the prizes Musk hands out to registered voters may flout US law, which bars paying individuals to register to vote, said a person familiar with the matter.

The billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla chief executive, who has become an ardent supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, said he would give away a daily $1mn prize to a registered voter in a swing state who had signed the petition backing constitutional protections for free speech and the right to bear arms.

The giveaway is set to continue until the presidential election on November 5, when Trump faces vice-president Kamala Harris in a tight race.

Musk gave a $1mn cheque on Saturday to an audience member at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and another at an event in Pittsburgh on Sunday as he campaigned in the swing state. A third voter in the state received the giveaway in McKees Rocks, followed by another in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

America Pac and a representative for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DoJ declined to comment.

Musk has become one of Trump’s biggest corporate backers and a vocal cheerleader, appearing alongside him at rallies and pouring millions of dollars into boosting the ex-president.

Musk gave nearly $75mn to America Pac during the third quarter, according to a federal filing. The group has spent more than $133mn, according to the independent non-profit OpenSecrets.

The Pac on Sunday shared additional details about the prizes in a post on X, which is owned by Musk, saying that “a registered swing state voter who signs the petition will be selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC”.

The online petition also promises $47 for each registered voter who is referred to sign it.

The Trump campaign this week said Musk would match donations to the campaign raised via text message drives.

Additional reporting by Alex Rogers, Colby Smith, Stephen Morris and George Hammond