Judge refuses to stop Elon Musk’s million dollar election 'sweepstakes'
The political action committee set up by X owner Elon Musk to deliver the presidency to Donald Trump will be allowed to keep awarding swing state voters millions of dollars, the Associated Press reports.
Responding to a civil case brought by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta ruled on Monday in Philadelphia that America PAC can continue giving away the money since the remaining two winners don't live in the Pennsylvania, but rather other swing states. Krasner has blasted the PAC payouts, testifying in court on Monday that they’re a "grift" and "political marketing masquerading as a lottery."
The sweepstakes became available to people who signed a petition — that included releasing their personal data — stating they support free speech and gun rights. Over a million people across all seven swing states have registered for America PAC's giveaways.
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In court, America PAC director and treasurer Chris Young said the million dollar winners weren't picked randomly but vetted ahead of time to ensure "they were someone whose values aligned" with the political effort. The sweepstakes' first three recipients (winning on Oct. 19, 20, and 21) all hailed from Pennsylvania — that state's voter registration deadline was Oct. 21. All the winning recipients were made to sign nondisclosure agreements. Krasner is still considering filing criminal charges against Musk and America PAC for allegedly influencing the election illegally.
Musk, also the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and one of the world's richest individuals, has gone all in on Trump, bankrolling America PAC to the tune of nearly $120 million, Forbes reports.
Neal joined Mashable’s Social Good team in 2024, editing and writing stories about digital culture and its effects on the environment and marginalized communities. He is the former editorial director of The Advocate and Out magazines, has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, Curbed, and Los Angeles magazine, and is a recipient of the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for LGBTQ Journalist of the Year Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association (NLGJA). He lives in Los Angeles with his family.
