The Justice Department warned Elon Musk that his $1 million giveaway could come with a prison sentenceāand it appears heās actually paying attention.
After receiving a warning from the Justice Department, Elon Musk has stopped his $1 million giveaway to swing voters from his super PAC.
The tech CEO pledgedĀ SaturdayĀ to give away the hefty sum each day to one registered voter in a battleground state who signed America PACās proāFirst and Second Amendment pledge. Every day since then, a winner has beenĀ announced: three Pennsylvania voters and one North Carolina voter.
However, the move immediately raised legal questions, as itās a federal crime to pay someone to register to vote, punishable by a fine of $10,000, five years in prison, or both. Experts were divided, with Muskās plan falling into a legalĀ gray areaĀ at best. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the move ādeeply concerning,ā and author Stephen King accused Musk of āpaying to register Republicans.ā
Oh, gee. Whyās that?
Ehā¦gut feeling.