Philadelphia’s district attorney has initiated legal action to halt Elon Musk’s America PAC’s $1 million giveaways, a move aimed at bolstering Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
The lawsuit, filed by Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, represents the first legal challenge to the America PAC’s sweepstakes, which offers a $1 million prize daily until November 5 to a registered voter in a key swing state who signs a petition supporting the Constitution.
Krasner’s office indicated that the lawsuit, filed just over a week before the election, does not preclude potential criminal action.
“The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections,” Krasner’s office stated on its website.
In response to a request for comment on the lawsuit and the future of the cash awards, a spokesperson for Musk’s America PAC provided a link to an X post showcasing the latest $1 million winner holding an oversized check.
Krasner’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries concerning the lawsuit, including whether it compels Musk to cease the giveaway immediately or whether the dispute can be resolved before Election Day.
Underscoring Pennsylvania’s significance in the election, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump have made numerous recent visits to the state, including Trump’s appearance at a rally and Harris’ itinerary that encompassed stops at a church and a barbershop.
Musk’s giveaway necessitates entrants to sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments of the Constitution and mandates them to serve as spokespeople for the organization as a condition of winning.
The awards have persisted despite election law experts raising concerns that they violate federal law prohibiting the payment of individuals for voting or registering to vote. They argue that winning the award requires contestants to be registered voters in a select group of battleground states. Musk has portrayed the money as both a prize and earnings for work as a spokesperson for the group.
In his statement announcing the lawsuit, Krasner classified the $1 million prize as a “lottery,” which would subject it to more stringent regulations than if it were a prize or work-related.
Filed in Pennsylvania court, Krasner’s suit does not directly apply to the other swing states whose residents are eligible for the $1 million prize.
Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, has fully embraced Trump in this election, asserting that civilization is at stake if he loses. He is spearheading a significant portion of Trump’s get-out-the-vote efforts through his super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money. He has pledged substantial resources to aid Trump and other Republicans in November.
