Elon Musk accused of bribery over $1M giveaways to voters in swing states

Elon Musk faces bribery accusations after offering $1 million giveaways to registered voters in swing states.

Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, is facing accusations of bribery ahead of the upcoming presidential election, with critics urging the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate.

The controversy centers around Musk's recent actions in Pennsylvania, where he offered free admission to his talks exclusively to individuals who had already voted. This has sparked concerns about potential violations of federal law, which prohibits offering anything of monetary value as an incentive to vote.

Musk has also been giving away $1 million daily to individuals who sign his online petition, which promotes free speech and the right to bear arms. The petition, organized by Musk’s "America PAC," is available only to registered voters in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan. This initiative has attracted further scrutiny, as it aligns with Musk's public endorsement of Trump’s re-election campaign.

On Saturday, Musk awarded a $1 million check to a Pennsylvania voter during a Trump rally in Harrisburg, intensifying demands for an investigation. Critics argue that Musk’s financial rewards to petition signers may undermine the integrity of the election process, potentially violating election laws.

This is absolutely illegal. Nothing short of bribery.

Hey FEC, you want to investigate Leon for this? https://t.co/uEJ4pqCQAA

— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) October 20, 2024

Federal guidelines broadly interpret vote-buying laws, making it illegal to provide payments, gifts, or incentives to influence voting behavior. The Department of Justice stresses that bribery in elections, whether targeting specific candidates or general participation, can result in imprisonment or other severe penalties.