Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is making headlines with his latest initiative, a million-dollar-a-day giveaway tied to a petition in support of the U.S. Constitution. The announcement came during a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, where Musk voiced his support for former President Donald Trump. The initiative is framed as a promotion of constitutional rights, with a specific focus on the First and Second Amendments.
Under the terms of Musk’s plan, a different person who signs the petition will receive a $1 million check each day until Election Day. The first winner, John Dreher, was presented with a check during the rally, which has drawn both excitement and controversy. Musk’s petition asks for public support for the protection of free speech and the right to bear arms, two constitutional issues that have long been central to Trump’s political platform.
While Musk’s bold move has garnered attention from many of his supporters, it has also sparked significant backlash, particularly from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat. Shapiro, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, expressed serious concerns about the legality and ethics of the giveaway. He suggested that law enforcement may need to investigate Musk’s actions, pointing out that financial incentives like this could unduly influence voters and violate election laws.
“I think what Elon Musk is doing raises a lot of red flags, and it’s something law enforcement should certainly look into,” Shapiro said during the interview. He further emphasized that Musk’s support for Trump and the petition could only go so far legally without crossing into problematic territory, particularly as Election Day nears.
Critics of Musk’s giveaway argue that the initiative may blur the line between lawful political activism and illegal election interference. The daily million-dollar payments to petition signers could potentially influence voter behavior or lead to accusations of vote-buying, particularly in a state like Pennsylvania, which is expected to be a key battleground in the upcoming election.
In response to the criticism, Musk has defended his actions, stating that the petition is purely about promoting constitutional rights and that the money is being given away freely, without strings attached. He has stressed that the focus is on supporting the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, particularly free speech and the right to bear arms—two issues that have long been at the heart of conservative political movements.
The controversy surrounding Musk’s actions has further fueled discussions about the role of wealthy individuals in political campaigns and elections. Musk, who has a history of using his vast wealth and influence to support causes and candidates, is no stranger to political involvement. However, the scope and scale of this latest giveaway have raised new questions about the power of money in American politics.
As Election Day draws closer, it remains to be seen whether Musk’s million-dollar-a-day giveaway will continue unimpeded or if legal challenges will arise. For now, Musk appears committed to continuing the initiative, and supporters at the rally in Harrisburg welcomed the move as a bold stand for constitutional rights. However, with Governor Shapiro and others voicing strong opposition, the controversy surrounding the giveaway is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
