Elon Musk's $1m-a-day giveaway in swing states 'deeply concerning' - BBC NewsWe've updated our Privacy and Cookies PolicyWe've made some important changes to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and we want you to know what this means for you and your data.OKFind out what's changedClose privacy bannerLet us know you agree to data collection on AMPWe and our partners use technologies, such as cookies, and collect browsing data to give you the best online experience and to personalise the content and advertising shown to you. Please let us know if you agree.Accept data collection and continueManage my settingsClose cookie bannerManage consent settings on AMP pagesThese settings apply to AMP pages only. 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Please note that you will still see advertising, but it will not be personalised to you.You can change these settings by clicking “Ad Choices / Do not sell my info” in the footer at any time.Accept data collection and continueReject data collection and continueClose cookie bannerBBC NewsSkip to contentSectionsHomeUKWorldBusinessPoliticsTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationEntertainment & ArtsStoriesHomeUKWorldBusinessPoliticsTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationEntertainment & ArtsStoriesAdvertisementMusk's $1m-a-day to swing states voters 'deeply concerning'To play this content, please enable JavaScript, or try a different browserVideo caption, Watch: Elon Musk gives $1m to a rally attendeeArticle informationAuthor, Tom BennettRole,  BBC News20 October 2024Updated 21 October 2024Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said he will give away $1m (£766,000) a day to a registered voter in key swing states until the US presidential election on 5 November.The winner will be chosen at random from those who sign a pro-US Constitution petition by Mr Musk’s campaign group America PAC, which he set up to support Republican nominee Donald Trump's bid to return to the White House.The first lottery-style cheque was given away to a surprised attendee at a town hall event in Pennsylvania on Saturday night. Another cheque was handed out on Sunday.Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who supports Kamala Harris, called Mr Musk's strategy "deeply concerning."AdvertisementA quick guide to swing state Pennsylvania10 October 2024How Musk and Trump put aside their differences12 August 2024SIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the voteANALYSIS: Harris goads Trump into flustered performanceEXPLAINER: Seven swing states that could decide electionIMMIGRATION: Could Trump really deport a million migrants?FACT CHECK: Was US economy stronger or weaker under Trump?Read more about: Kamala Harris | Donald Trump | US electionShapiro told NBC News' Meet the Press that law enforcement should potentially look at the payments.The contest is open to voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina, all key battleground states that will ultimately decide the White House election.Election law expert Rick Hasen wrote on his personal Election Law Blog that he believed Mr Musk's offer was "clearly illegal".Federal law states that anyone who "pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting" faces a potential $10,000 fine or a five-year prison sentence.Though Mr Musk is technically asking voters to sign a form, Mr Hasen questioned the intent behind the strategy."Who can sign the petitions? Only registered voters in swing states, which is what makes it illegal," said Mr Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) law school.Those who sign the petition - which pledges to support free speech and gun rights - must submit their contact details, potentially allowing America PAC to contact them about their vote.Both Mr Musk and America PAC have been approached for comment.Campaigns and political action committees rely on tactics like petition signing, survey requests, or merchandise purchases to build massive databases of voter information. That data can then be used more accurately to target voters, or raise funds from supporters who are already onboard.In Pennsylvania, Mr Musk is giving voters $100 for signing the petition, plus another $100 for each person they refer who signs. Voters in other battleground states get $47 per referral.But the strategy may be covered by a loophole under US election law because no-one is being directly paid to vote - despite introducing money into a process that could identify likely Trump voters.In the US, it is illegal to provide payments to get people to vote - not only for a certain candidate, but to simply cast a ballot.The rule prompted icecream-maker Ben & Jerry's to give its product free to everyone on election day in 2008, having initially planned to limit it just to those with an "I voted" sticker.While campaigning on Sunday, Trump was asked about Mr Musk's giveaway. "I haven't followed that," he said, adding that he speaks to Mr Musk often and he is a "friend".The founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly Twitter, has emerged as a key Trump supporter.Mr Musk launched America PAC in July with the aim of supporting the former president's campaign.He has so far donated $75m (£57.5m) to the group, which has quickly become a central player in Trump's election bid.The Trump campaign is highly reliant on outside groups such as America PAC to canvas voters.A statement on the group's website reads: “America PAC was created to support these key values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, Right to Self-Protection.”Mr Musk said he wants to get “over a million, maybe two million, voters in the battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment”.“I think [it] sends a crucial message to our elected politicians,” he added.Mr Musk is currently the world's richest man, with an estimated net worth of $248bn (£191bn), according to US business magazine Forbes.Related topicsElon MuskUS election 2024Donald TrumpUS politicsUnited StatesTop StoriesLIVE Live, Trump calls Zelensky a 'dictator' as he hits back at 'disinformation' criticismStarmer backs Zelensky after Trump 'dictator' claim17 minutes agoHuge sinkhole swallows up more of Surrey street34 minutes agoMore to exploreFact-checking Trump claims about war in Ukraine3 hours agoHow a plan to land £100m of cocaine on a Highland beach went wrong19 February 2025Gay kiss 'furore' to domestic violence: How EastEnders shattered taboos19 February 2025Watch: Trump and Musk discuss conflict of interests19 February 2025Jonathan Bailey's new character 'Succession inspired'9 hours agoEven in his final seconds of life, first gay imam pushed boundaries19 February 2025US Politics Unspun: As Trump starts his second term, cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletterJeremy Bowen: No sign of a quick peace dividend for Trump in Ukraine18 February 2025Facing Islamist threats, Bangladesh girls forced to cancel football matches18 February 2025Most readContent is not availableBBC NewsWhy you can trust the BBCTerms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCDo not share or sell my info© 2025 BBC. 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Hey, I found that election interference they pretend to be concerned about. Also, this is illegal as fuck and Garland need to finally grow a spine and throw Musk in prison.


https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/597