Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Billionaire entrepreneur and prominent supporter of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, has done a controversial campaign offering $1 million giveaway each day leading up to the U.S. Presidential Election on November 5. The giveaway was randomly given to voters in key swing states who have signed a petition promoted by his political action committee (PAC).
How the Program Works
Musk’s initiative, which aims to bolster Trump’s election chances, offers a $1 million prize to a randomly selected voter from the critical swing states. To qualify, individuals must be registered voters in states like Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. They also need to sign a petition from the America PAC, which advocates for “free speech and the right to bear arms.”
According to CNBC, the first million-dollar prize was awarded on October 19 at a Trump campaign event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. John Dreher, the first lucky recipient, received the check personally from Musk.
Pennsylvania, considered a pivotal battleground in the upcoming election, is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next president.
Each day until election day, a new prize winner will be chosen from the pool of petition signers, all of whom have signaled their support for the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
Criticism and Legal Concerns
The initiative has sparked intense debate and legal scrutiny. According to BBC, Eleven Republican attorneys and public officials penned a letter urging the Department of Justice to investigate Musk’s actions, describing them as unprecedented in modern political history.
“We are aware of nothing like this in modern political history,” the letter stated, citing potential violations of both federal and state election laws. The authors emphasized the need for immediate investigation, noting that laws directly regulating the voting process should take precedence, even in the weeks leading up to the election.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, echoed these concerns, calling Musk’s move “deeply concerning” and urging law enforcement to examine the legality of the giveaway.
In response, Musk expressed disbelief, stating it was “concerning that he [Shapiro] would say such a thing.”
Is It Legal?
Many legal experts are divided over the legality of Musk’s daily giveaway. Critics argue that it could amount to vote-buying, a violation of federal election law that prohibits offering payments to register to vote or to incentivize voting.
Paul Schiff Berman, a law professor at George Washington University, believes the plan likely crosses legal boundaries. “His offer is only open to registered voters, so I think his offer runs afoul of this provision,” Berman said as cited from BBC. Violators of this law could face fines of up to $10,000 or a five-year prison sentence.
However, Bradley Smith, former chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), suggests that Musk may have found a legal loophole. Speaking to The New York Times, Smith noted that the giveaway was “something of a grey area,” emphasizing that Musk isn’t paying individuals to register or vote but rather to sign a petition. “I think he comes out OK here,” Smith said.
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Still, others remain skeptical. Michael Kang, an election law professor at Northwestern University, argued that while the plan may not explicitly violate election law, the context raises significant concerns. “It’s clearly designed to induce people to register to vote in a way that is legally problematic,” Kang said.
A Political Power Play
Regardless of its legal standing, Musk’s daily giveaway is seen by many as part of a broader strategy to influence the outcome of the presidential race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. As both campaigns vie for crucial swing states, Musk’s financial intervention could sway undecided voters and potentially tip the balance in Trump’s favor.
As the U.S. election approaches, Elon Musk’ high-profile giveaway remains under the microscope, with legal challenges and public opinion continuing to shape the narrative around this unprecedented political move.
(Raidi/Agung)
