\n Posted on: October 24, 2024, 04:01h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: October 24, 2024, 04:01h.\n <\/p>\n
![\"Avatar](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-5-1-50x50.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nElon Musk<\/a> appears to have abandoned his controversial lottery scheme<\/a> to encourage swing-state voters after receiving a pointed letter from the US Department of Justice.<\/p>\n The tech billionaire, who has thrown his weight behind the Trump campaign, vowed he would give away $1 million a day to a registered voter in key battleground states until November 5. Each winner would be chosen at random from a list of signatories to a petition pledging to support free speech and gun rights.<\/p>\n The Telsa and Space X founder\u2019s electoral sweepstake began Saturday in Pennsylvania and has already announced four winners. Musk, the world\u2019s richest man, planned to roll it out to Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina this week.<\/p>\n But no winner was announced on Wednesday, the same day CNN reported the Justice Department had written to Musk\u2019s super PAC, America PAC, warning the lottery might be illegal.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not completely clear whether the warning was the reason why America PAC was uncharacteristically silent on the lottery Wednesday.<\/p>\n Previously, winners were announced with fanfare, but by Thursday all mention of the lottery had been removed from the America PAC website. Neither did Musk mention it on X, the social media platform he owns.<\/p>\n Under federal law, it is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison to \u201cpay or offer to pay or accept payment either for registration to vote or for voting.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n In Pennsylvania, signatories to Musk\u2019s petition were getting $100 simply for filling in their details, plus another $100 for each person they referred who signed.<\/p>\n The Justice Department\u2019s Election Crimes Manual notes that vote-buying is a bribery offence under the US Constitution. It specifically includes \u201clottery chances,\u201d as a prohibited inducement.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, described the lottery as \u201cdeeply concerning\u201d Sunday. Musk hit back on X that it was \u201cconcerning\u00a0that he would say such a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n America PAC has declined media requests to comment on recent developments, but earlier this week a spokesman claimed the lottery was lawful.<\/p>\n The PAC is confident in the legality of this initiative and the predictable media meltdown is only helping America PAC\u2019s efforts to support President Trump [sic],\u201d the spokesman said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Musk has pledged to spend $75 million to support Trump\u2019s campaign. Earlier this month he joined the former president on stage at a rally in Butler, Penn., the site of an assassination attempt on Trump in July.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Elon](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/elon-858x457.jpg\")
Radio Silence<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u2018Deeply Concerning\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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