Elon Musk's $1m-a-day giveaway in swing states 'deeply concerning'Skip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersMusk's $1m-a-day to swing states voters 'deeply concerning'21 October 2024Tom Bennett & Kayla EpsteinBBC NewsWatch: Elon Musk gives $1m to a rally attendeeTech 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."A quick guide to swing state PennsylvaniaHow Musk and Trump put aside their differencesSIMPLE 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.Elon MuskUS election 2024Donald TrumpUS politicsUnited StatesWatchBarron Trump: Then and nowAged just 10 when his father first became president, he's now well over six feet tall, and goes to New York University.20 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch: Trump's 'golden age' speech in 82 secondsThe US president spoke about his plans for the second Trump administration, as well as criticising the 'corrupt establishment'.20 Jan 2025US & Canada'I Donald John Trump'... 47th US president sworn inWatch the historic moment when the 45th president is returned to power as he takes the oath of office. 20 Jan 2025US & CanadaTech CEOs, celebs and presidents - who's inside Trump's inaugurationElon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos were among those invited inside the Capitol for Donald Trump's swearing in.20 Jan 2025Thousands protest in Washington DC ahead of Trump inaugurationThousands of people joined in on demonstrations as the United States prepares to inaugurate its new president.18 Jan 2025US & CanadaBiden gives warnings on climate and oligarchy in farewell speechThe outgoing US president warned against power in the hands of the wealthy, the threat of the tech industry and climate change.16 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch key moments from Rubio and Bondi's confirmation hearingsTrump's pick for US attorney general was pressed on claims of election fraud and pardons for January 6 rioters.15 Jan 2025Watch key moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearingDonald Trump's defence secretary nominee was asked about his stance on women in combat and his alleged excessive drinking.14 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch moment Kamala Harris certifies US election resultHarris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 election, presided over the event as required by the US Constitution.6 Jan 2025US & CanadaA look at Trump's new top team... in 85 secondsAmong the allies the president-elect has chosen to join his administration are contentious figures, including among fellow Republicans.16 Nov 2024US & CanadaTrump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretaryThe president-elect has nominated RFK to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.14 Nov 2024US & CanadaFBI video shows moment man sets ballot box on fireThe suspect used an “improvised incendiary device” to start the fire in Portland, Oregon, ahead of the US election.14 Nov 2024Why is Kamala Harris still asking for campaign donations?A week after losing the election, Kamala Harris's team are still appealing for funds.14 Nov 2024US & CanadaWhat a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second termRepublicans have won control of both chambers of Congress, yielding Trump limited congressional oversight for at least 2 years.
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He is preparing for the next presidential campaign.  I'm telling you, Elon mask now knows the republican people will vote for anyone who has money and who is against immigration.