The Department of Justice Affirms Receipt of Allegations Regarding Elon Musk's Monetary Compensations to Voters
The Department of Justice Affirms Receipt of Allegations Regarding Elon Musk's Monetary Compensations to Voters
Despite it being unlawful in the U.S. to pay someone to vote, abstain from voting, or register to vote, Elon Musk has been generously sponsoring the American electorate. This all started about two weeks ago when the tycoon began offering registered voters in crucial states $47 as an incentive. The reasoning behind this was to persuade other voters to sign a hazy petition "supporting the Constitution." Although this might seem innocent, it's important to consider that we're smack dab in the middle of a contentious presidential election, and Musk has been actively lobbying for one candidate (Donald Trump). To vote, you need to be registered. Now, some might argue (and have argued) that Musk is financially motivating voter registration.
Not too long after the initial $47 offer, Musk raised the stakes by doubling the payment to $100. Then, several days ago, Musk took things to an extreme level. He announced that he would offer a million dollars daily to a swing state voter who signed his petition until the election, implying he had already made two such transactions.
Critics have alleged that Musk is essentially attempting to buy votes for Trump or running a paid voter registration drive, which are both illegal. According to UCLA's Rick Hasen, Musk's activities amount to "blatant vote-buying." The Justice Department has acknowledged receiving complaints regarding Musk's lottery-style giveaways, but it's unclear whether they plan to take any action.
On Monday, the Washington Post revealed that a group of former Republican officials had sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Justice Department to investigate Musk's payments to voters. Among the signatories were former governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman, former special advisor to Vice President Olivia Troye, and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission Trevor Potter, to name a few. The letter was also addressed to various district attorneys in Pennsylvania.
"There's nothing like this in modern political history," the letter stated, referencing Musk's payments. "We urge you to investigate whether America PAC's payments are prohibited payments for voter registration. We understand that they're presented as payments for signing a petition or referring voters who sign. However, many payments are restricted to registered voters, meaning that anyone seeking compensation must first register to vote." Depending on the outcome, Musk might face up to five years in prison.
Gizmodo reached out to Musk via Tesla, and the Justice Department was also contacted. A source close to Musk's America PAC informed CBS News that "America PAC is confident in the legitimacy of this initiative, and the ensuing media uproar is merely bolstering AmericaPAC's efforts to back Trump." Musk has previously contended that anyone, irrespective of political leanings, can win his daily million-dollar prize if they sign his petition.
Musk's payments to voters have placed the Justice Department in a precarious situation, as we're just two weeks away from the election. Any move to investigate or stop Musk could have politicized repercussions. If the authorities intervene, critics might portray it as an attack on voters, who would undoubtedly gain from Musk's donations.
Musk, who has been handling Trump's campaign operations in key swing states, has invested heavily in a campaign that's becoming increasingly creative and peculiar. On Tuesday, a new report claimed that Musk's political action group, America PAC, had been purchasing Trump ads on Musk's web platform (formerly Twitter). America PAC has also been the subject of several criticisms and alleged irregularities. Despite this, it remains unclear whether Musk is truly aiding Trump's campaign. Some high-ranking GOP officials have expressed concerns that Musk's efforts may not be as effective as he claims. Previous reports have suggested that Musk-funded canvassing operations have had minimal impact.
In the future, the legal implications of Elon Musk's controversial voter registration incentives could significantly impact the tech industry, as tech companies may need to be more cautious when engaging in political activities. Furthermore, the use of technology in political campaigns, such as Musk's offer of a million dollars daily to swing state voters, could become a subject of greater scrutiny and regulation.