Controversy
Status:Open
Will Elon Musk's Million-Dollar Giveaway to Registered Voters Be Ruled Illegal?
UNLIKELYLIKELY
Claims
Jamie RaskinMusk's $1M giveaway "definitely seems to collide with federal election law."
Hans von Spakovsky"Elon Musk is not violating federal law with his America PAC's million-dollar lottery."
Larry Krasner"America PAC and Elon Musk are running an illegal lottery in Philadelphia."
Brendan Fischer"The fact that they are only paying the referrer rather than the signatory further insulates the PAC from any accusations that they are buying votes."Oct 18, 2024
John FortierMusk's giveaway "straddles the line [of legality], and it's a little unclear whether it goes over the line or not."
Richard Briffault"It [Musk's offer] clearly violates the spirit of the statute, but it's not 100% clear to me that it violates the letter of the law."Oct 24, 2024
Michael S. KangMusk's giveaway is "clearly designed to induce people to register to vote in a way that is legally problematic."
Tiffany Muller"It appears that what Elon Musk and his America PAC are doing is blatantly illegal."
Paul Schiff Berman"I believe [Elon] Musk's offer is likely illegal."
Jessica Levinson"A reasonable judge could absolutely conclude that this is illegal."
Mitchell Reiss"No, I don't [believe Elon Musk's giveaway breaks the law]."
Michael S. Kang"It's not quite the same as paying someone to vote, but you're getting close enough that we worry about its legality."
Danielle Lang"It is illegal to give out money on the condition that recipients register as voters."
Brad SmithSince Musk isn't paying voters to register to vote, "I think he comes out OK here."
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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.17.0