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- The Philadelphia District Attorney’s lawsuit may put an end to Musk’s $1 million daily giveaway.
- The initiative will have largely achieved its goal by then.
- Musk has leveraged this giveaway to promote voter registration and motivate voters in key states.
On Thursday morning, the Philadelphia District Attorney plans to challenge Elon Musk’s America PAC in court, aiming to terminate a controversial $1 million daily giveaway that has been labeled an “illegal lottery” in a lawsuit filed on Monday.
“If not stopped, their lottery scheme and deceptive practices will cause irreparable harm to residents of Philadelphia and other areas in Pennsylvania while undermining the public’s right to a fair election,” stated the lawsuit initiated by DA Larry Krasner.
Krasner’s legal team was initially scheduled for a court appearance on Friday; however, it was rescheduled for Thursday. They are seeking an order that would prevent Musk and his PAC from “promoting or operating their lottery,” as outlined in court documents including a draft injunction linked with the case.
The DA aims to halt Musk from continuing his offer of a daily chance at winning $1 million for signing a petition advocating for constitutional rights and the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
This giveaway commenced on October 19 but comes with specific conditions. Participants must reside in one of seven pivotal states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, or North Carolina. Additionally, they must be registered voters to qualify for entry.
By Thursday morning—when much of what critics allege is the intent behind this initiative will have been fulfilled—voter registration deadlines will have passed in Pennsylvania. The only swing states still allowing voter registration next week are Nevada and North Carolina.
The announcement regarding the lawsuit gained significant media attention when it broke early Monday morning. This was followed by numerous posts about both the giveaway and Pennsylvania on America PAC’s social media account on X (formerly Twitter), which is owned by Musk himself. The PAC highlighted that “Today and tomorrow mark your last chances for same-day voting!” They also revealed their tenth winner of $1 million earlier that day.
Musk’s representatives did not respond promptly when approached by Business Insider regarding comments about the ongoing legal situation. A spokesperson from America PAC opted not to provide any remarks but directed inquiries towards their latest post featuring “Jordan from Hastings, Michigan,” who was shown holding a mockup check worth $1 million shortly after news of the lawsuit emerged.
The request made by Krasner for an injunction against this promotional effort is set to be reviewed at 10 AM Thursday before Judge Angelo J. Foglietta at Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas—a judge who has served since 2012 after being elected as part of a Democratic slate. This case had previously been assigned under Judge Anne Marie B. Coyle—a Republican appointee since 2013—though no specific reason has been provided regarding its reassignment between judges according to court records.
Krasner asserts within his complaint that this promotion constitutes an unregulated lottery violating state law due primarily because key details surrounding contest rules remain undisclosed along with information about winning odds or selection processes.
Musk claims winners are chosen randomly: “We’re giving away one million dollars every day until Election Day,” he stated during one video posted on X explaining how he aimed “to raise awareness” around upcoming elections through such initiatives.
The suit further alleges that over 280 thousand unsuspecting Pennsylvanians’ data had already been unlawfully collected without consent while asserting no harm would come if they were restrained from continuing these actions moving forward.
Critics argue this offer resembles cash-for-registration schemes intended solely toward boosting Trump’s electoral prospects despite federal laws prohibiting financial incentives tied directly either registering or voting activities.
Legal experts previously indicated potential violations concerning both letter & spirit behind existing regulations governing such contests might exist here too; Richard Briffault—a Columbia Law School professor—noted it would be surprising if Justice Department intervened given limited time remaining prior Election Day approaches rapidly ahead now! Notably enough though DOJ did send warning letters recently indicating possible illegality surrounding these giveaways first reported earlier via 24sight News outlet although America PAC resumed announcing winners thereafter without delay following those developments!
Musk continues emerging prominently among pro-Republican megadonors throughout presidential campaigns having just completed several town halls across crucial battleground state like Pennsylvania recently!
This article was updated as new information became available regarding changes made concerning original scheduled hearing dates along with judge assignments involved within case proceedings!
