Elon Musk can move forward with giving $1 million in daily donations to registered voters in battleground states who sign pledges to support the First and Second Amendments, a Pennsylvania judge says. The verdict was handed down on Monday.
Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Folietta denies Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s motion to withhold donations, CNBC reported.
According to the newspaper, Krasner filed a lawsuit against Musk’s political action committee America PAC to stop the gift, claiming it was a “fraudulent,” “fraudulent” and “illegal lottery.” It is said that
Musk’s team insisted this was no lottery at all.
“The recipients of the $1 million were not chosen by chance,” Chris Gober, former treasurer of America PAC, said Monday, according to CNBC. “We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow.”
Despite Musk claiming in October that the winners would be chosen “at random,” America PAC’s current treasurer Chris Young rejected that statement. “These are not the words I would have chosen,” he said in court Monday, the newspaper reported.
Musk originally announced plans to fund the giveaway with America PAC during the Trump campaign’s Oct. 19 rally in Pennsylvania.
Krasner’s lawsuit follows a warning from Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who called the giveaway “very disturbing” and said it could be investigated by law enforcement. He suggested that there was.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is threatening Elon Musk with giving away $1 million a day to registered voters in battleground states who sign the bill. @America PAC petition supporting the Constitution.
“That’s very concerning. It’s a matter that law enforcement may look into.” pic.twitter.com/LMrAz7xEka
— Alx🇺🇸 (@alx) October 20, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also reportedly sent a letter to Musk warning that the giveaways could violate laws that prohibit paying people to register or vote. .
America PAC has donated more than $17 million to those who signed the petition and plans to make the final payment on Tuesday, CNBC reported. (Related: Silicon Valley billionaire takes a turn and announces support for Trump)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 20: SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk presents Christine Fishel with a check for $1 million during a town hall at the Roxine Theater on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. was awarded. Musk has donated more than $75 million to the America PAC, which he co-founded with Silicon Valley venture capitalists and high-tech businessmen to support former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. Michael Swensen/Getty Images
According to CNBC, Krasner is also suing Musk in a civil lawsuit alleging that America PAC violated Pennsylvania’s lottery and consumer protection laws.
