Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has received a warning from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over a controversial million-dollar giveaway aimed at registered voters. According to sources cited by CNN, Musk’s recent announcement that his political action committee (PAC) would award $1 million per day to a registered voter in swing states who signs a petition has raised red flags within the DOJ’s public integrity section.
Musk, who has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump and made appearances at rallies supporting him, revealed the giveaway initiative over the weekend. The goal, according to Musk, is to incentivize voter registration in key battleground states ahead of the upcoming presidential election. However, the DOJ’s letter, addressed to Musk’s PAC, expressed concerns that this strategy might violate federal election laws.
The concern arises from the fact that federal law prohibits offering financial incentives or compensation in exchange for voter registration. The DOJ’s public integrity section, which is tasked with ensuring compliance with election laws, is scrutinizing whether Musk’s offer constitutes an illegal payment scheme designed to influence the election process by incentivizing voters in states that could swing the results in favor of a particular candidate or party.
Musk’s political involvement has grown more pronounced in recent months, aligning himself with Trump and attending campaign rallies. His PAC’s proposed giveaway was seen by many as an effort to further galvanize the conservative voter base. However, legal experts argue that the initiative, if found in violation of election laws, could lead to significant penalties, including fines and legal challenges for both Musk and his PAC.
As of now, Musk has not publicly responded to the DOJ’s warning, but the move is expected to trigger a legal battle over the interpretation of federal voter laws. The case could also reignite broader debates about the influence of wealthy individuals and political donations in U.S. elections.
Election law specialists have indicated that the DOJ’s warning could serve as a precedent-setting case if it goes to court, potentially clarifying the boundaries of what constitutes legal voter mobilization efforts versus illegal voter inducement. While encouraging voter turnout through outreach and education is a common practice for PACs and campaigns, the use of direct monetary incentives to register or vote could be viewed as crossing a legal line.
The timing of the DOJ’s warning comes as voter registration efforts ramp up nationwide in preparation for the upcoming election cycle, and political groups on both sides are closely monitoring the legal landscape. Musk’s involvement, with his high profile and immense wealth, adds a new layer of complexity to this evolving issue.
