Elon Musk faces upto 5 years in prison for election optics, DoJ warns million dollar sweepstakes illegal

Elon Musk received a letter from Department of Justice to sound a warning against the his daily million dollar sweepstakes to endorse voting

Published on: Oct 25, 2024, 12:27:54 IST

By HT News Desk

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Elon Musk’s latest election “generosity” campaign—pledging to give $1 million a day to voters willing to sign a petition in support of Donald Trump—is not legal, as he’d hoped.

SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million check during the town hall at the Roxain Theater on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images via AFP)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) seems to think Musk’s flashy giveaway could be bending, if not breaking, some federal laws.

The DOJ’s election crimes head, Robert Heberle, recently sent Musk a strongly worded letter pointing out that offering cash incentives to influence voters isn’t just frowned upon; it’s illegal.

Also Read: Elon Musk's alleged ties with Vladimir Putin exposed

According to the 24sight newsletter, the DOJ’s letter politely but firmly reminded Musk of the potential consequences for violating U.S. voting laws. It reportedly “did not specify any immediate legal action” but “did spell out the penalties for breaking US voting laws, including possible imprisonment of up to five years.”

What's Elon Musk's $1mn election campaign

On Musk’s “America PAC” website, hopeful $1 million recipients can sign a petition declaring their support for the First and Second Amendments. And here’s the kicker—it’s only open to registered voters in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin. The site states that the goal is to get one million voters from these states to sign, all by November 5.

As of now, a few winners have already pocketed their prizes, including “Andy from Holly Springs, NC,” who Musk congratulated on Wednesday.

Neither Musk, his America PAC, nor their lawyer has commented on the DOJ’s warning.

Not everyone’s amused by Musk’s latest electoral experiment. Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, Tim Walz had some choice words: “That guy is literally the richest man in the world, and he’s spending millions to help Trump buy an election.” It’s safe to say Walz doesn’t share Musk’s sense of civic-minded “generosity.”

So, will Musk’s daily million-dollar payouts continue without a hitch? That remains to be seen—but his attempt at playing election benefactor may not be the slam dunk he envisioned.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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