Elon Musk’s political team can continue to give $1 million to voters in swing states, a judge has ruled.
The billionaire’s lawyer said in court Monday that the round of gifts from Mr. Musk’s America PAC will end on Tuesday and the final recipient has been determined.
In a surprising turn of events, the lawyer revealed that the recipients of the money were not randomly selected in a lottery-style contest as many people thought but were chosen by a group.
Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner sued to stop what he called an “illegal lottery” after Musk vowed to give money to one voter in a swing state every day until Election Day.
According to the Associated Press, Pennsylvania Judge Angelo Foglietta did not immediately give reasons for the ruling, which was issued several hours after the hearing.
“The recipients of the $1 million were not chosen at random,” attorney Chris Gober said during the hearing. “We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow.”
Mr. Gober told the court that America PAC had determined the final recipient would be voters from Michigan, American media reported.
On Monday, America PAC announced that a man named Joshua in Arizona was awarded the day’s money.
In a post on America PAC.”
But when the world’s richest man announced the giveaway last month, many believed it was a random drawing of registered voters who had signed petitions supporting the First and Second Amendments. two of the United States Constitution.
“We will randomly give away $1 million to people who sign the petition every day, from now until the election,” Musk said during a campaign event.
A few days later, the US Department of Justice warned that this group may be violating election laws that prohibit people from paying to register to vote. Krasner’s office sued to stop it.
Mr. Musk has been actively campaigning for Republican White House candidate Donald Trump in swing states across the country, and his committee is also pushing hard in Pennsylvania, where polls show Trump is in an even relationship with his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
A lawyer at Krasner’s office told Reuters that Mr Gober’s comments in court were “a complete admission of liability”.
During the hearing, prosecutors played a video in which Mr. Musk, who is also SpaceX’s chief executive, said “all we ask” is that the winners serve as developers. spokesperson for the group, Reuters reported.
But Chris Young, director of America PAC, told the court that recipients are screened and must have values consistent with the group, US media reported.
According to Reuters, those who receive the money will sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent them from publicly discussing the terms of their contracts.
Mr. Musk did not attend Monday’s hearing.
Also on Monday, Joe Rogan released an episode of his podcast about a nearly three-hour interview with Mr. Musk.
In a post promoting the podcast on X, he said he would support former President Donald Trump.
“He [Musk] presents what I think is the most convincing case for Trump you will ever hear and I agree with him every step of the way,” Rogan wrote.
