Elon Musk-backed pro-Trump group, America PAC, paused its highly questionable $1 million-a-day sweepstakes after a DOJ warning that the contest could be illegal. The lottery, targeting registered voters in swing states, had been giving away cash prizes each day since the announcement of the contest last Saturday, posting the winners across social media.
The Lottery Has Drawn Criticism Since Its Inception
Election law experts were quick to express concerns over the sweepstakes. Federal law prohibits offering prizes or other items of value connected to voting or registration to prevent undue influence on election outcomes. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that the sweepstakes were highly concerning and could be interpreted as attempted bribery.
There are real questions about how he is spending money in this race, how the dark money is flowing, not just into Pennsylvania but now into the pockets of Pennsylvanians.
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Governor
Experts argue the sweepstakes could easily be framed as vote-buying, especially given its focus on battleground states. While Musk reframed the cash prizes as “job payments” for participants to act as “spokespersons for America PAC,” many remain skeptical. Former DOJ official David Becker argues that altering language does not address the potential violation if the underlying intent remains the same.
Responding to critics on social media, Musk argued that the sweepstakes did not discriminate against participants based on their political affiliation. However, critics noted that Musk’s outspoken support of Trump and the sweepstakes exclusively targeting swing states seemed intended to sway election results during a critical period in the election race.
Musk Remains a Staunch Supporter of Trump
Despite Musk’s assurances, the DOJ reportedly sent an official letter to America PAC, warning that the sweepstakes could be violating election law. This official response is probably why the lottery stopped publicly announcing winners from Wednesday onwards. According to CNN, the DOJ has refused to offer an official comment on this matter.
The controversy follows Musk’s increasingly vocal support for former President Trump, including giving more than $75 million to America PAC. Musk’s first appearance in Trump’s campaign rallies and his promotion of debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election have fired up speculation regarding his political game plan ahead of the 2024 elections.
The DOJ’s involvement underlines the sensitivity surrounding election interference. In this respect, America PAC’s sweepstakes might be subject to unprecedented legal scrutiny, given its controversial actions. Meanwhile, the battle between Trump and Harris rages on, with each of them trying to seize any advantage they can get.