Payam Javan: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and owner of social media platform X, has launched a petition drive offering $1 million per day to registered voters who sign in support of the U.S. Constitution’s First and Second Amendments. At an America PAC event in Pennsylvania, Musk presented a $1 million check to John Dreher, a random voter who had signed the petition. Musk announced that his super PAC, America PAC, will continue awarding $1 million daily to petition signers until the 2024 election, aiming to mobilize voters in critical battleground states like Pennsylvania.

Musk’s offer, however, has sparked concerns from political figures and legal experts. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed worry about the legality and ethical implications of such large sums of money flowing into political efforts, suggesting law enforcement may need to investigate. Rick Hasen, a law professor at UCLA, called the petition scheme “clearly illegal,” citing that only registered voters in swing states are eligible to sign the petition and receive monetary rewards, raising questions about election law violations.

In recent weeks, Musk has embarked on a tour across Pennsylvania to promote voter registration, underscoring the state’s importance in the upcoming election. Musk’s efforts have drawn attention from Democrats, with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman calling Musk a “concern” for his open support of Donald Trump and active participation in campaign rallies. As the 2024 election approaches, Pennsylvania’s swing-state status is once again expected to play a pivotal role in determining the presidency.