Democrats are calling for an investigation into Elon Musk after he announced a controversial initiative offering $1 million daily to individuals who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s move, which was revealed at a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, town hall, has sparked accusations of “dark money” and concerns about potential election interference.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania expressed his concerns on “Meet the Press,” suggesting that law enforcement should examine Musk’s spending. “There are real questions with how he is spending money in this race, how the dark money is flowing,” Shapiro stated, adding that it raises “serious questions.”
Elon Musk jumped on stage as he addressed the crowd at a Pennsylvania town hall on Saturday
Musk’s initiative involves randomly awarding $1 million each day to petition signers until the election, with the first winner, Pennsylvania resident John Dreher, receiving an oversized check in front of a cheering crowd. While Dreher and other supporters hailed Musk’s efforts, many critics, including podcast host Jim Stewartson, have raised concerns, calling the initiative “bribery” and urging the Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission to intervene.
The petition, which supports free speech and gun rights, is seen by some as a strategic move to sway voters in key swing states. Musk’s plan targets Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, offering monetary incentives for voters to sign and refer others to the petition. His goal is to gather 1 million signatures in swing states to support these constitutional rights.
While some users on social media praised Musk for his bold tactics, others voiced fears about billionaires influencing political outcomes through financial means. Concerns have been raised over the legality and ethics of Musk’s actions, with calls for regulatory oversight.
John received $1 MILLION for signing America PAC’s petition to support Free Speech & Right to Bear Arms
— America (@america) October 20, 2024
Every day from now until Election Day, one registered swing state voter who signs the petition will be selected to earn $1 MILLION
SIGN HERE: https://t.co/TMeyWUhbrH pic.twitter.com/UsyTt3V77r
Musk has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump, having donated $75 million to his pro-Trump political group, America PAC, in just three months. The PAC’s petition focuses on upholding the Constitution, specifically free speech and the right to bear arms.
With Democrats surging in early voting, Musk’s financial intervention in swing states is drawing attention, potentially shaping the outcome of the upcoming November 5 election.
