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Judge Orders Elon Musk To Face Court Over $1 Million Voter Giveaway
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-business-news/judge-orders-elon-musk-to-face-court-over-1-million-voter-giveaway
By Hugh Fort in US business news, posted October 31, 2024
A Philadelphia judge has ordered Elon Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, to appear in court on Thursday.
The court hearing comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. The action aims to halt America PAC’s controversial plan to award $1 million to registered US voters in key battleground states before the presidential election on 5 November.
The district attorney’s office claims PAC’s initiative, spearheaded by Musk, is an "illegal lottery" intended to entice Pennsylvania residents to share their personal information. This means it could influence voter registration in a critical swing state.
Court Orders Mandatory Attendance for All Parties
“All parties must be present at the time of the hearing,” the judge stated in Wednesday's court order.
The hearing was initially scheduled for Friday but has been moved up to Thursday morning in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
So far, representatives for both America PAC and Musk have not issued comments regarding the upcoming court appearance.
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A Giveaway Under Federal Scrutiny
Musk’s America PAC has pledged to give away $1 million each day to participants who sign a petition advocating free speech and gun rights.
However, legal experts remain divided on whether the giveaway complies with federal laws prohibiting monetary incentives for voter registration. Last week, the Justice Department issued a letter to America PAC, cautioning that these financial giveaways might violate federal regulations. The letter was first reported by CNN.
Pennsylvania’s Crucial Role in a Tense Election Year
As the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris intensifies, Pennsylvania's status as a swing state could be decisive. Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, claiming that “Pennsylvania will be a decisive Republican victory.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, recently voiced his concerns, urging a legal examination of Musk's actions. “There are real questions about how he’s spending money in this race, how dark money is flowing not just into Pennsylvania but directly into the hands of Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro stated during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on 20 October.
Musk's Supporters Stand by His Initiative Despite Criticism
At a recent America PAC town hall event in Pittsburgh, Musk openly praised Trump while presenting a $1 million check to a Trump supporter in attendance. Despite growing concerns around the initiative, attendees expressed admiration for Musk’s perceived defense of free speech and success as a businessman.
“I fear if Trump does not win, we are going to have a single-party state that’s going to be like California, but actually worse,” Musk told the Pittsburgh audience, emphasizing his concerns about the political landscape.
Musk's Influence on the Trump Campaign and Voter Turnout
The Trump campaign, heavily dependent on external organizations for voter outreach, could see substantial support from Musk’s super PAC, which wields substantial financial influence in what is anticipated to be a tight election.
On Wednesday, America PAC’s X account posted, “Joshua from North Carolina earned $1M after signing our petition in support of the Constitution,” accompanied by photos of winners posing with their $1 million checks.
Outlook: Potential Legal Consequences and Election Impact
With Pennsylvania's status in the balance, Musk's America PAC initiative has drawn legal and political scrutiny from all sides.
The outcome of Thursday's hearing may set a precedent on campaign finance practices and voter influence tactics, with potential implications reaching far beyond this election.
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