Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has raised concerns about Elon Musk’s recent $1 million giveaway to registered voters in key battleground states, calling for law enforcement to investigate its legality.
Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, announced his plan to randomly distribute $1 million a day to those who sign a petition in support of his super PAC. The petition promotes backing for the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution.
Governor Shapiro expressed unease about the giveaway during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, highlighting potential legal issues tied to offering financial incentives for signing a petition.
“I think there are real questions with how he is spending money in this race, how the dark money is flowing, not just into Pennsylvania, but apparently now into the pockets of Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said.
He also suggested that law enforcement should take a closer look, although he acknowledged that, as governor, he is no longer in a position to pursue such investigations himself.
The first recipient of the $1 million, identified as John Dreher, was awarded the sum during an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Musk has announced that similar giveaways will take place across several battleground states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin, leading up to the November 5 election.
Election experts and critics have raised concerns about the legality of Musk’s plan, noting that offering financial rewards in exchange for signing a petition or requiring voter registration could potentially violate election laws. The issue has drawn attention because of the direct connection between the cash handouts and Musk’s political support for Trump, which has already included at least $70 million in donations to aid Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Governor Shapiro emphasized that while Musk has the right to express his political views, such large sums of money entering the political landscape could undermine trust in the election process.
“We obviously have a difference of opinion. I don’t deny him that right. But when you start flowing this kind of money into politics, it raises serious questions,” Shapiro said.
Musk defended his actions during a town hall in Pittsburgh, arguing that his efforts were aimed at upholding democratic principles and promoting free speech. However, he also expressed concerns for his own safety, pointing to heightened political tensions and noting that a German magazine, Der Spiegel, had recently labeled him as “Public Enemy No. 2,” after Trump.
FOX News and the Independent contributed to this report.
