Elon Musk summoned to Philadelphia court over alleged voter influence scheme using million-dollar giveaways.(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
EPICSTORIAN — Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla and X, has been summoned to appear at a Pennsylvania court hearing in Philadelphia this Thursday over a civil lawsuit alleging involvement in an illegal lottery aimed at influencing voter behavior.
Philadelphia’s District Attorney filed the suit, which argues that Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, is offering $1 million prizes to sway voters in favour of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, a source confirmed.
Pennsylvania Voters
The court order comes after Musk’s controversial campaign, where he and his PAC have reportedly distributed daily cash prizes to registered voters in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state considered where the two major political parties ( Democrats and Republicans) have similar levels of support among voters and can largely influence the overall result of the upcoming election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Musk maintains his goal is purely patriotic, solely with the intention to encourage voter registration and early voting, regardless of political affiliation.
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However, Philadelphia officials contend that his financial incentives constitute an unauthorised lottery, one that could unduly affect the election’s outcome.
Political Action Committees (PACs) like America PAC can legally raise and spend unlimited funds to support political candidates, provided they do not directly coordinate with campaigns or offer funds to them.Yet the prosecutor argues that Musk’s actions overstep these boundaries, positioning the PAC’s giveaways.
The World richest billionaire pledged to donate $1 million daily to registered voters in key swing states who sign his online petition supporting free speech and gun rights.
The initial $1 million award went to John Dreher, who received it at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on October 19, and more people are promised to receive once they fulfill the $1 million giveaway conditions.
