US Justice Department Issues Warning to Elon Musk Regarding $1 Million Giveaway

Billionaire Elon Musk’s political action committee (PAC), America PAC, has received a warning from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding its $1 million daily giveaways to registered voters, according to U.S. media reports on Wednesday.

The DOJ’s caution arises from concerns that Musk’s sweepstakes, which awards $1 million to one registered voter in a swing state each day until the November 5 presidential election, may violate federal laws. Regulations prohibit offering financial incentives to encourage voter registration.

Musk, the world’s richest person and a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, announced the contest on Saturday in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state likely to impact the presidential race between Trump and Kamala Harris.

Reports from CNN and 24sight News indicate that the DOJ sent a letter to Musk’s PAC highlighting potential legal issues.

Although winners are chosen at random, participants must be registered voters and sign a petition endorsing “free speech and the right to bear arms.”

Danielle Lang, a Georgetown Law School professor specializing in election law, pointed out that such a contest could face “civil or criminal enforcement” from the DOJ, as offering money contingent on voter registration violates federal law.

In recent weeks, Musk, who leads Tesla and SpaceX, has increased his political involvement, donating $75 million to a pro-Trump PAC and attending rallies in support of the former president.

The Justice Department has not yet commented on the situation.