# Elon Musk Swing State Registered Voter Giveway **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, elon-musk\ **Created:** [October 23, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077 "2024-10-23T00:41:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/1 "2024-10-23T00:41:23Z")
Continuing the discussion from [Donald Trump and the runup to the 2024 election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/1005196/636): > [@Donald Trump and the runup to the 2024 election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/1005196/636): > > Well, it looks like even Elon’s “giveaway” wasn’t entirely true. Does this make it more illegal? Less? It’s dirty, no matter what the law says. > > My favorite quote: “I was pumping my arms in the air,” he said. “Actually meeting Elon, I kind of forgot about the money for a little bit … He’s such an influential figure for guys my age who are working hard every day.” > > [Elon Musk’s million dollar winners are Pennsylvania Republicans who already voted | The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-prize-winners-legal-b2633632.html) I’m starting a new thread because I think this deserves discussion. I find no Musk pledge that the daily million dollars would be given away randomly. Or did I miss it? The smaller, supposedly definite, payments almost surely total to a lot more money than the million dollar giveaways. After some moral vacillation, my wife and I yesterday web-signed [the petition](https://petition.theamericapac.org/) saying that we support the first and second amendments. This is supposed to result in our getting a check, from Musk’s PAC, for $400 (two $100 payments for signing and two referral payments). If we actually get the checks – I’ll believe it when they don’t bounce – $300 will go to charity and $100 to our daughter for us referring her. P.S. We had to attest to supporting the first and second amendments. First amendment, no problem. Second amendment? Well, Barbara and I are both former federal employees, and on taking the jobs, we swore, in good faith, to support and defend the whole constitution – including amendments. I live with that. Did we like the 2008 Heller decision making the second amendment an individual right? No, but it is the law, and should be respected. If that decision is reversed, we will respect it even more. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/2 "2024-10-23T17:07:22Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > After some moral vacillation, my wife and I yesterday web-signed [the petition](https://petition.theamericapac.org/) saying that we support the first and second amendments. What’s the exact text that you need to agree with? I can’t see it myself as the website blocks visitors from outside the US. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/3 "2024-10-23T17:15:32Z")
You agree that you are with him in supporting the 1st and 2nd Amendments, he then interprets both to mean…what, exactly? Your name and reputation will sold, free and clear. Congratulations. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/4 "2024-10-23T18:52:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You agree that you are with him in supporting the 1st and 2nd Amendments, he then interprets both to mean…what, exactly? We did not agree to being “with him.” This is what we agreed to in return for a supposed $400: > [@](#): > > The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments. The first sentence above is a statement of fact. Regarding the first and second amendments, I am more of an absolutist regarding the first amendment, but support the Constitution in its entirety. There is no pledge as to any particular interpretation. The petition page fails to mention Elon Musk, although he is mentioned, as the Political Action Committee founder on another page of the web site… After 48 hours, I have not seen any email or other acknowledgement that I agreed to the petition, and no indication that a check is coming. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/5 "2024-10-23T18:55:15Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > What’s the exact text that you need to agree with? I can’t see it myself as the website blocks visitors from outside the US. Here is an Internet Archive backup of the page I signed: [Internet Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20241010072327/https://petition.theamericapac.org/) Can you see that? NOTE to U.S. web users: The current petition web page [here](https://petition.theamericapac.org/) has some subtle differences from the archived page I signed. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/6 "2024-10-23T18:58:45Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Can you see that? Yes, that shows the text; thanks. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/7 "2024-10-23T19:03:51Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > > Can you see that? > > Yes, that shows the text; thanks. Looking at the Wayback Machine page, that’s not exactly the one I signed either. It doesn’t mention the $100. And the Wayback Machine seems to be going up and down. I think the PAC is making slight changes, to the money details, almost daily, although the basic petition pledge seems unchanged. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/8 "2024-10-23T19:07:26Z")
On the advice of lawyers??? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/9 "2024-10-23T19:09:52Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > After 48 hours, I have not seen any email or other acknowledgement that I agreed to the petition, and no indication that a check is coming. Could checks be going ONLY to registered Republicans? (I know you don’t know for sure about any of this—I’m just asking participants in the thread in general.) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/10 "2024-10-23T20:22:52Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > We did not agree to being “with him.” He and other followers will not hear your objections-He’s got your name, and that’s that. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/11 "2024-10-23T20:29:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Your name and reputation will sold, free and clear. This is a good point. But what is the value of the contact information for someone who agreed to a vague GOP-sponsored petition while being, as a matter of public record, a registered Democrat and – this is the big one – has no history of making campaign contributions? Zero? No, but my info is worth a heck of a lot less than $200, $100, or even $47 – the amount Musk’s PAC is pledged to send back to petition signers, depending on various fine print. If Musk does not pay up, he may have got something over on me. I could get it back, and more, by going for a Tesla test drive with no intention of buying. But that’s not me. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > > After 48 hours, I have not seen any email or other acknowledgement that I agreed to the petition, and no indication that a check is coming. > > Could checks be going ONLY to registered Republicans? (I know you don’t know for sure about any of this—I’m just asking participants in the thread in general.) Just like Donald Trump, [Elon Musk stiffs suppliers](https://sfist.com/2022/11/22/elon-musk-now-stiffing-vendors-not-paying-bills-at-twitter/). In this case, Barbara and I are, as Czarcasm correctly implies, suppliers of information Musk’s PAC can sell. Looking at it that way, I think Musk, like Trump, stiffs suppliers regardless of political affiliation. We would just be two more. Musk is truly paying $1,000,000 a day to semi-randomly chosen petition signers because he gets good free publicity. He gets next to nothing in return for sending me $200. Why should he do it? There might be one of those ambulance-chaser-type class action suits if he doesn’t pay. Maybe I’ll be offered five or ten dollars. [We know from history that Donald Trump would negotiate a check even if just 13 cents.](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/trump-files-spy-magazine-prank/) Me, I normally I would pass, but if from Elon, I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/12 "2024-10-23T20:34:06Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > There might be one of those ambulance-chaser-type class action suits if he doesn’t pay. Maybe I’ll be offered five or ten dollars. Sounds like you’re being full realistic about this. Still, if you can be part of embarrassing Musk by exposing him as a liar, that would be worth something, I’d think. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/13 "2024-10-25T01:42:54Z")
Musk did not give out the million dollar prize yesterday or today: [Musk’s super PAC doesn’t name daily $1 million winner after DOJ warning](https://www.axios.com/2024/10/24/elon-musk-million-dollar-giveaway-doj-warning) Do we think that’s legal under laws regarding contests and sweepstakes? If someone starts a sweepstakes, don’t they have to give out the prize? Some people must have traveled to their county seat, registering to vote in person so they could sign up for a cash reward and a chance to win. Now they are out their bus fare or other travel cost. I can see a Catch-22 when the contest is illegal in the first place. But that’s why Musk should not have done it in the first place. I suppose that if Trump wins, a federal pardon is almost guaranteed. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/14 "2024-10-25T04:58:59Z")
According to reporting, @PhillyGuy’s most recent post is no longer correct. > **[Elon Musk’s super PAC awards $1 million prizes to 2 registered voters,...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/25/politics/elon-musk-super-pac-winners-doj-warning/index.html)** > > Elon Musk’s super PAC awarded two $1 million prizes to registered voters in Michigan and Wisconsin on Thursday, after being warned by the Justice Department that the payments might be illegal. So as of Thursday 24OCT2024, he’s given a prize for Thursday and a “make-up” payment for Wednesday. I’m guessing he’s either convinced himself (or found a lawyer who’s convinced) it’s legal, that Trump will pardon him, or he’s too rich to face any consequences. IE he figures he’ll get some more fines he won’t pay. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/15 "2024-10-25T12:26:30Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > According to reporting, @PhillyGuy’s most recent post is no longer correct. True. Axios has changed the contents of my link, so when you click on it the headline is now reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/16 "2024-10-25T20:11:49Z")
It seems Musk is giving the finger to the DOJ: > **[Elon Musk’s Stupid $1 Million Lottery Is Back—Despite Dark DOJ Warning](https://newrepublic.com/post/187536/elon-musk-doj-justice-department-lottery-warning)** > > Elon Musk is daring the Justice Department to try and stop his brazen pro-Trump giveaway. > Elon Musk is thumbing his nose at the Department of Justice, on Thursday night resuming his super PAC’s scheme to give away $1 million to a battleground state voter every day despite receiving a warning from the DOJ earlier in the week. > > Musk’s pro-Trump America PAC announced two winners on X Thursday night: Jason from Holland, Michigan, and Brian from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They join four other winners since Musk began the giveaway on Saturday to registered voters in swing states who sign the super PAC’s petition in support of the First and Second Amendments. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/17 "2024-10-25T20:29:26Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > But what is the value of the contact information for someone who agreed to a vague GOP-sponsored petition How much personal information did you have to provide? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/18 "2024-10-31T03:57:09Z")
Anyone want to bet whether Musk will show up? (not really…figure of speech) Full title: **Elon Musk ordered to attend $1 million voter lottery suit hearing in Philadelphia court** > **[Elon Musk ordered to attend $1 million voter lottery suit hearing in...](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/30/elon-musk-ordered-to-attend-1-million-voter-lottery-suit-hearing-in-philadelphia.html)** > > Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his America PAC are supporting Republican nominee Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the presidential election. > [Elon Musk](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/28/philadelphia-da-sues-elon-musk-pac-to-stop-1-million-lottery-for-voters.html) must attend an emergency court hearing in Philadelphia on Thursday morning to address a bid by the city’s top prosecutor to stop the [Tesla](https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/TSLA/) CEO and his [political action committee](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/16/trump-elon-musk-donation-election-harris-pennsylvania.html?&qsearchterm=political%20action%20committee) from continuing to award [$1 million](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/20/elon-musk-offers-1-million-a-day-to-entice-swing-state-voters-.html) prizes to registered voters in the swing state of Pennsylvania, a judge ordered Wednesday. > > Also on Wednesday, attorneys for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner revealed in a court filing that his lawsuit against Musk, who is an ally of Republican presidential nominee [Donald Trump](https://www.cnbc.com/donald-trump/), and the [America PAC](https://theamericapac.org/) had “triggered an avalanche of [social media] posts from Musk’s followers,” many of whom “made antisemitic attacks on Krasner.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/19 "2024-11-04T22:40:14Z")
A legal dodge? Full Title: **Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says** > **[Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania...](https://apnews.com/article/musk-million-sweepstakes-lottery-pennsylvania-krasner-4f683c48eb7dcc57f183e54ef16e7320)** > > A Pennsylvania judge has ruled that Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can continue through Tuesday’s presidential election. > The $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes that Elon Musk ‘s political action committee is hosting in swing states can continue through Tuesday’s presidential election, a Pennsylvania judge ruled Monday. > > Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta — ruling after Musk’s lawyers said the winners are paid spokespeople and not chosen by chance — did not immediately explain his reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077/20 "2024-11-05T02:21:58Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > A legal dodge? Try a big con. The “winners” were chosen in advance. No one was chosen randomly, despite what Musk claimed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-swing-state-registered-voter-giveway/1009077.md?page=2)