The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly warned Elon Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, that its $1 million-per-day lottery-style giveaway to registered voters may be illegal, according to U.S. media.
Musk, the world’s richest man, has been actively campaigning for Republican Donald Trump in his 2024 presidential race against Kamala Harris. Over the weekend, Musk, who owns Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), launched a cash giveaway targeting voters who sign a petition circulated by his PAC.
The timing of the DOJ’s letter to Musk’s organization remains unclear. According to reports from different media outlets, the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section informed America PAC that the sweepstakes may violate federal election laws. The department has declined to provide further details on the matter.
U.S. law prohibits offering financial incentives for voter registration, but it’s not certain if Musk’s giveaway breaches these laws. The contest offers cash rewards to individuals who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments.
At an event in Pennsylvania, Musk stated that the aim is to get “over a million, maybe 2 million” voters in key battleground states to sign in support of free speech and gun rights. The contest is open to voters in seven swing states—Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—offering $1 million daily to a randomly selected signer until the election on November 5.
Participants must be registered voters, but there is no requirement for party affiliation. After Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, raised concerns and called for legal scrutiny of the giveaway, Musk responded on X, expressing disappointment at Shapiro’s remarks. He also clarified that winners can belong to any political party or none, and they are not required to vote.
On the second day of the contest, America PAC adjusted its messaging, framing the prize as payment for being a spokesperson for the PAC. Despite this change, election law experts noted that the official terms on the PAC’s website did not change—only petition signers who are registered voters in the seven battleground states remain eligible for the prize.
It’s still unclear when Musk received the DOJ’s letter and if it prompted the change in messaging surrounding the giveaway.
