What's happened
Elon Musk's America PAC is under investigation by the DOJ for a $1 million daily lottery aimed at swing-state voters. Critics argue this could violate federal laws against paying for voter registration. The initiative has sparked significant debate about legality and ethics in political fundraising as the election approaches.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider, Senators Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal have urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Musk's giveaway, stating it 'appears to violate federal campaign finance law.' Meanwhile, Axios highlights that the DOJ has already sent a warning to America PAC regarding the legality of the lottery. Legal experts are divided; while some argue the scheme is permissible, others, like UCLA law professor Rick Hasen, deem it 'clearly illegal.' The Guardian notes that Musk's tactics have drawn comparisons to questionable practices in foreign elections, raising ethical concerns about the influence of wealth in American politics.
How we got here
Musk's America PAC launched a sweepstakes offering $1 million daily to registered voters in swing states who sign a petition supporting Trump. This initiative has raised concerns about potential violations of federal election laws prohibiting payments for voter registration.
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Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun
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