When I imagine the future of American political science I see Elon Musk ’s grinning face as he pass on by a million bucks on stage before a gang of clapping people . Musk is approaching politics the way a YouTuber like MrBeast approaches consultation engagement . Both gentleman’s gentleman are giving away huge cash trophy to get people to tune in , and they ’re ignoring the legality and issue of their action .
Over the weekend , Musk handed out outsized novelty $ 1 million curb to two voters in Pennsylvania . During a ceremony filmed and broadcast on X , the billionaire gave away the cash to voter who sign a petition he ’s huckster in support of the constitution .
John Dreher , the first million - dollar mark winner , is a ego - profess huge Musk devotee . “ in reality converge Elon , I kind of forgot about the money for a little bit , ” Dreher saidin a TV on X. “ He ’s such an influential number for hombre my years who are forge heavily every day . ”
SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million check during the town hall at the Roxain Theater on 26 February 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.© Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images
“ When he came on stage it was so exciting , ” Kristine Fishell , the 2nd million - dollar achiever , said inher own video on X. “ He did the jumping like he did at the Butler rally , it was just really fun to see . ”
The video recording are striking because they palpate more like amusement than political sympathies . In America , the two have long gone hand in helping hand , but Musk giving away cash award to registered voters and making them pose down to shoot tribute afterward feels like a generational shift . These are the kinds of videos that would meet well on the feed of a YouTuber like MrBeast who gives away huge hard cash award for people who compete in secret plan where they put up and chagrin themselves .
These two Pennsylvania residents received $ 1 million each from Elon Musk for signing a orison in financial support of the First and Second Amendments ! 🇺 🇸 pic.twitter.com/eef2a8C9ht
— DogeDesigner ( @cb_doge)October 20 , 2024
Musk has been heavily involved in the U.S. presidential election since the attempted blackwash of Trump in July . He started a pro - Trump super PAC andinjected $ 75 millionof his own John Cash , repeatedly posted his support for Trump online , andappearedwith the candidate at a rally in Butler , Pennsylvania .
But the billionaire ’s latest scheme may plunder safari finance law . He ’s giving one lucky voter in a swing state who signalize his petition $ 1 million per sidereal day , every Clarence Day , until the election . What ’s the petition?It ’s simple . “ The First and Second Amendments insure freedom of delivery and the right to bear arm . By signing below , I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments , ” it articulate .
Any registered voter who signs on the dotted personal credit line vex $ 47 horse and is entered for a chance to win the $ 1 million . The cash is only available to some elector . “ This program is only unresolved to registered voters in Pennsylvania , Georgia , Nevada , Arizona , Michigan , Wisconsin , and North Carolina . decease October 21 , ” the petition pronounce .
If you ’re wondering if this is legal , you ’re not alone . On Sunday , Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapirocalled out Musk ’s schemeon Meet the Press . “ Musk obviously has a right field to be able to evince his views . He ’s made it very , very exonerated that he supports Donald Trump . I do n’t . Obviously we have a departure of opinion , ” Shapiro say . “ I do n’t deny him that , right , but when you set off flowing this kind of money into politics , I think it raises serious questions . ”
Rick Hansen , a legal scholarly person at the UCLA School of Law , call out Musk ’s game show on his Election Law Blog . Hansen ’s view ? “ This one is clearly illegal , ” Hansen said of the $ 1 million giveaway .
Hansen taper to section52 U.S.C. 10307(c)of U.S. election law and page 44 of the Justice Department’sElection Crimes Manual . “ For an offering or a payment to violate Section 10307(c ) , it must have been signify to induce or reward the voter for prosecute in one or more acts necessary to cast a voting , ” the manual of arms said .
The subject is n’t clear - trim down . The money and prizes are for signing a postulation , but the petition is thinly veiled and covered in language about cross-file voter . In their videos , both Fishell and Dreher emphasise the importance of ballot and voting early . It ’s readable to anyone watch out that the Johnny Cash pillage are n’t just advantage for the petition , but pecuniary incentives to get out the vote .
What will come of this ? Will Musk be prosecuted ? I think that will largely reckon on the outcome of the Presidential election . But one thing I know for sure : the future tense of American political sympathies will have more MrBeast - style stunt .
Donald Trumpelection 2024Elon Muskmr . beast
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