Justice Department flags Elon Musk’s $1m giveaway to US voters

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has flagged the $1 million daily giveaways to registered voters, an initiative of the America PAC powered by billionaire Elon Musk.

According to a warning issued by the DOJ, the America PAC’s monetary largesse may contravene federal laws, US media reported Wednesday.

America PAC is a super political action committee (PAC) created by the Tesla and SpaceX CEO with the backing of a number of prominent tech businessmen to support Donald Trump‘s 2024 presidential campaign.

Musk, the world’s richest man, announced the contest on Saturday in Pennsylvania, one of the seven swing states predicted to determine the winner of the US presidential election between incumbent Vice President, Kamala Harris and the former President.

The X owner has thrown his weight behind Trump in the contest, pledging to give away $1 million to one registered voter in a swing state every day until the November 15 poll.

According to CNN and 24sight News, the Justice Department wrote to Musk’s PAC, warning that the $1M sweepstakes may violate a federal law, which prohibits paying people to register to vote.

However, the Department of Justice has declined comment on the matter.

The winners of the contest, who must be registered voters, are chosen at random. They are also required to sign a petition which supports “free speech and the right to bear arms.”

Lawyer says Elon Musk-backed contest could be a civil or criminal infraction

Danielle Lang, a professor at Georgetown Law School who specialises in election law, stated earlier this week that the contest could be “subject to civil or criminal enforcement by the Department of Justice.

“It is illegal to give out money on the condition that recipients register as voters,” Lang told AFP.

“As the terms of this ‘contest’ to win $1 million require the recipient to be a registered voter in one of seven swing states (or to register if they have not already), the offer violates federal law,” she added.

Elon Musk is going all out in his effort to ensure the re-election of Trump as the US President.

In recent weeks, he has intensified his support, including donating $75 million to a pro-Trump political action committee and appearing at campaign rallies.