Will Musk get away with his 'dirty' $1 million-dollar giveaways?
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With the presidential election less than a week out, are the courts too late to stop Elon Musk from his million-dollar cash giveaway?
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In brief…
- Elon Musk has been summoned to court over the millions of dollars he’s giving away to registered US voters who sign his petition.
- Dark MAGA Musk has been a regular face at Trump rallies and has donated nearly $200 million to his campaign.
- The News Agents say Musk and team Trump are operating in a grey area, but the courts and the Democrats are one step behind.
What’s the story?
Elon Musk has been ordered to appear in a Philadelphia court over the one million dollars he’s giving away every day until the US election to registered voters who support his election petition.
The News Agents previously described the giveaway as “on the edge of what’s legal” in regards to election interference – but that’s not actually why he’s been summoned to court.
Instead, the lawsuit filed against him by the Philadelphia district attorney’s office is for running an illegal lottery in the state which requires those who sign up to share their personal details to take part in his giveaway.
The petition, which supports “online free-speech” and gun-rights, was set up by America PAC, the political influence group formed by Musk and other wealthy tech moguls to support Donald Trump. Only people in Pennsylvania are eligible for the million dollar giveaway, a key swing state in the election.
The Twitter/X owner hasn’t commented on the court summons. If successful, he could face a fine which, as one of the richest men in the world, probably isn't too much of a deterrent.
How is Musk involved in Trump's election campaign?
Musk has become a regular face at Trump rallies in the US – usually showing up to tell the crowds that he's "dark MAGA" or even "dark gothic MAGA" because he's wearing a black 'Make America Great Again' hat.
He has also used his social media presence to back a second Trump presidency, and has done so with the use of misinformation, sharing conspiracy theories in ongoing attempts to steer the election in his favour.
Trump has suggested Musk would have a place in his cabinet if he becomes president, while Musk has said a win for the Republican would help him make the planet Mars inhabitable.
Musk has also donated an estimated $180 million to Trump's campaign.
What’s The News Agents take?
“I have never known the billionaire class try to exercise such muscle in a presidential election campaign, and we've known for years that wealthy people have donated,” says Jon Sopel.
Emily Maitlis notes that in the past, billionaires like Bill Gates have gone through more conventional routes in election campaigns, such as funding adverts, leaflets and door knocking.
But Elon Musk “only needs himself to both donate and disseminate, and I think that's what's different about this,” Emily says.
Jon adds that in creating a structure like a lottery, where people could win one million dollars a day for registering to vote, Musk is operating in a “grey area” to drive support for Trump.
Trump too has“consistently been really clever in exploiting grey areas”, Emily says.
But the courts of law and the Democrats are behind.
Emily adds: “They know this doesn't pass the smell test. They know it feels, sounds and looks really dodgy, but they have got to spend time, money, resources and intellect fighting it.
“He's just doing it, and once again, he's going to get ahead of the electoral cycle.”
It might not mean that Trump is going to cruise to victory in the election, with the polls still neck and neck.
But in terms of exploiting loopholes by using dirty, clever tricks, Emily says Musk and Trump are getting one step ahead.
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