Article Summary –
A Pennsylvania prosecutor is challenging Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes, intended to support Trump, in federal court. Musk’s absence from a state hearing led to a delay pending federal review. The sweepstakes raises concerns over election law violations, while Musk defends it as a legitimate lottery.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Pennsylvania prosecutor’s effort to stop Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes was moved to federal court Thursday. This action followed a state hearing skipped by Musk, the world’s richest man.
Judge Angelo Foglietta stated Musk should have attended in person as a lawsuit defendant but didn’t sanction him immediately. Musk’s lawyer, Matthew Haverstick, cited his client’s busy schedule. The prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, questioned why the SpaceX founder couldn’t appear in Philadelphia.
“Counsel, he’s not going to get in a rocket ship and land on the building,” Foglietta replied.
Musk’s political group, supporting Donald Trump’s campaign, offers these voter giveaways. Foglietta paused the state case for a federal ruling by U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert. No federal hearings are scheduled yet.
Krasner, a Democrat, wants the case in Philadelphia’s state court, where his lawsuit filed Monday accuses Musk’s PAC of running a questionable lottery ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Krasner’s lawyers noted four of the first 12 winners are from Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in the tight presidential race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Is it just a coincidence that this is the state with the largest electoral votes? I don’t think so,” argued lawyer John Summers.
Posts from Musk’s PAC on X, the social media platform he owns, show 13 $1 million checks given out since Oct. 19, including to battleground states like Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan.
Krasner’s team claims Musk and the PAC “brazenly” continued the lottery, even Thursday morning, despite legal challenges. The sweepstakes targets voters in swing states who can prove registration and sign a constitutional petition.
“They’re doing things in the dark,” Summers told the judge. “We don’t know the rules or how winners are picked … It’s an outrage.”
Election law experts question if it violates federal laws against paying for votes. Musk describes the money as both a prize and earnings for spokesperson duties for the group.
Krasner may still pursue criminal charges to protect both lotteries and election integrity, accusing defendants of “indisputably violating” Pennsylvania’s lottery laws.
Trump and Kamala Harris are actively campaigning in Pennsylvania for its 19 electoral votes.
Musk, who also owns Tesla and X, supports Trump, stating civilization is at stake. His super PAC is leading Trump’s voter outreach, raising and spending unlimited funds.
Musk has pledged over $70 million to the PAC for Trump and other Republican victories in November.
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