Elon Musk
In a bold move to sway voter turnout in favor of Donald Trump, Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he would award $1 million daily to randomly selected registered voters who sign a petition for his pro-Trump political action committee, AmericaPAC.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO launched this initiative during an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with the aim of mobilizing swing state voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Musk said, “I have a surprise for you,” before revealing the daily prize of $1 million, available “every day from now until the election.”
He emphasized the importance of the effort, particularly in key battleground states.
Musk’s swing-state focus aligns with his belief that Pennsylvania holds significant weight in the election’s outcome.
Elon referred to the state as the “linchpin” of the presidential race, stating, “How Pennsylvania goes I think is how the election goes.”
His initiative to give away $1 million a day will continue through November 5, encouraging voter engagement during the final weeks of the campaign.
At the event, Elon called John Dreher, a man from the audience who had signed the petition, to the stage and presented him with a giant check as the first recipient of the $1 million prize.
“I think this is kind of fun, and you know, it seems like a good use of money, basically,” Musk quipped, adding that he hopes it motivates others to participate.
The petition is posted on the AmericaPAC website and is designed to build a database of voters who support free speech and gun rights.
Signers must be registered voters from swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and provide their contact information.
This data could then be used by the PAC to target voters and rally support for Trump’s campaign.
Previously, Elon Musk had offered $47 to anyone who convinced a swing-state voter to sign the petition, but his latest move raises the stakes dramatically.
With the petition deadline coinciding with Pennsylvania’s voter registration closure on Monday, the campaign is pushing hard to gather as many signatures as possible before the cutoff.
While Musk’s initiative is gaining attention, it has also raised concerns. Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro expressed reservations during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, stating that the legality of Elon Musk’s cash-for-signatures plan is “deeply concerning” and that it “is something law enforcement could take a look at.”
The governor’s comments highlight the potential legal challenges the giveaway may face, especially if authorities view the monetary incentive as problematic.
Elon Musk brushed off the criticism, focusing on the broader objective of the campaign.
He has been vocal in his skepticism toward U.S. government agencies and regulations, calling many of them ineffective.
During his speeches in Pennsylvania, he reiterated his belief that “we should not trust the government, really,” even suggesting that he would not trust the government if he were part of it.
Since launching AmericaPAC in July, Musk has donated $75 million to the group, quickly positioning it as a major player in Trump’s reelection campaign.
The PAC’s focus aligns with Musk’s libertarian views, promoting policies such as secure borders, free speech, and gun rights.
In fact, Trump has already adopted an idea floated by Musk to create a government efficiency commission, and Musk is expected to play a key role in that effort.
AmericaPAC’s website states that it was “created to support these key values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible Spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, Right to Self-Protection.”
Musk’s latest initiative aims to inspire a groundswell of support for Trump by rallying voters around these issues.
Musk, whose net worth is estimated at $248 billion according to Forbes, has become an increasingly visible figure in American politics.
His outspoken support of Trump and significant financial contributions to the campaign signal his growing influence on the political stage.
His $1 million-a-day promise is just the latest example of his willingness to leverage his fortune to shape the political landscape.
“I want to get over a million, maybe two million, voters in battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment,” Musk said, underscoring the political message behind the financial incentive.
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