The first recipient of this lottery-style giveaway was a surprised attendee at a town hall meeting held on Saturday night.
The tech billionaire, Elon Musk, has announced a plan to give away $1 million, £766,000 daily to a registered voter in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, until the United States presidential election in November.
The winners will be selected randomly from individuals who sign a pro-constitution petition created by AmericaPAC, a political action group Musk established in support of Donald Trump’s bid to reclaim the presidency.
The first recipient of this lottery-style giveaway was a surprised attendee at a town hall meeting held on Saturday night.
Musk’s initiative aims to galvanize potential Trump supporters during the crucial final weeks leading up to the presidential election on November 5.
To be eligible for the daily lottery, participants must sign a petition that advocates for the protection of free speech and gun rights, while also providing their contact information.
This strategy could allow AmericaPAC to reach out to them with information regarding their vote.
In a previous offer, Musk had promised $47 to anyone who could persuade a registered voter from a swing state to sign the petition.
Although this introduces financial incentives into the electoral process, it is considered legal under U.S. election law because individuals are not being directly paid to vote, according to Slate.
Instead, they are being compensated for encouraging voter participation, which could indirectly benefit the Trump campaign.
Musk, who has become a prominent Trump supporter in recent years, founded AmericaPAC in July, with the group emerging as a significant force within Trump’s campaign.
So far, Musk has poured $75 million (£57.5 million) into AmericaPAC, which has played a pivotal role in the former president’s efforts to mobilize voters.
The PAC’s website outlines its mission, stating, “America PAC was created to support these key values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, Right to Self-Protection.”
Musk himself has underscored the importance of the petition, saying, “I want 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.”
He emphasized that such a petition could send a “crucial message” to politicians regarding these fundamental rights.
Currently listed as the world’s richest person with an estimated fortune of $248 billion (£191 billion) by ‘Forbes’, Musk’s involvement in the election has raised eyebrows, particularly given his significant influence and wealth.
The outcome of the 2024 presidential election is likely to hinge on several battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. With Musk’s backing, Trump’s campaign hopes to secure a decisive edge in these pivotal regions.
