A voter registration initiative led by Elon Musk’s America PAC, which involves daily $1 million cash giveaways, is facing a legal challenge as Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner moves to shut down the program. Krasner’s office filed a lawsuit on Monday, claiming that the initiative constitutes an illegal lottery in violation of Pennsylvania law, as it lacks regulatory oversight and transparency regarding rules, odds, and selection methods. The court will consider the DA’s demand for an injunction to halt the program in a hearing on Thursday.
Musk’s initiative, which began on October 19, offers registered voters in seven swing states — Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina — a daily chance to win $1 million upon signing a petition affirming the U.S. Constitution and the Second Amendment. With Pennsylvania’s voter registration now closed, critics argue the initiative effectively served its purpose in encouraging voter registration for former President Donald Trump. In other states, however, registration deadlines are ongoing, and Musk’s America PAC is set to continue the giveaway up to Election Day.
Critics argue that the giveaway is strategically aimed at bolstering Trump’s voter base in key swing states. Some legal experts claim that paying individuals to register or vote, even indirectly, could violate federal election laws, which bar financial incentives tied to voting. Pennsylvania’s lawsuit against Musk underscores concerns that his voter registration push may undermine the integrity of the election process.
The lawsuit highlights that the America PAC collected data from over 280,000 Pennsylvanians during the initial phase of the program, a factor Krasner contends is exploitative. The DA’s office claims the program lacks transparency in several critical areas, including selection procedures and contestant odds. They also argue that Musk’s PAC has circumvented oversight that would typically govern a lottery system, branding it as a “cash-for-registration drive” designed to increase voter turnout in favor of Trump.
The America PAC’s website and Musk’s X account (formerly Twitter) have been actively promoting the initiative, featuring recent winners and urging eligible voters to participate. When asked to comment, America PAC representatives redirected reporters to social media posts highlighting recent prize distributions and contestant testimonials.
Legal analysts note that Pennsylvania law allows lotteries only when they comply with regulatory safeguards, and similar giveaways have previously faced scrutiny from election law authorities. Judge Angelo J. Foglietta of Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas will preside over the hearing on Thursday, which will determine whether the initiative is temporarily halted until a final court decision is reached.
