Categories: Elections

Philadelphia Judge to hear case on Musk’s $1 million-a-day sweepstakes for Trump–Musk did not show

Elon Musk speaks a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A Philadelphia held a hearing Thursday as the city prosecutor seeks to shut down Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day sweepstakes in battleground states. Musk’s organization, linked to America PAC, launched the sweepstakes to bolster Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Musk’s Legal Team Pushes to Move Case to Federal Court

Musk’s lawyers filed a motion late Wednesday to transfer the case to federal court, arguing that the sweepstakes is tied to a federal election issue. Despite the motion, a spokesperson for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed that the initial hearing at City Hall will proceed as scheduled.

Judge Angelo Foglietta was presiding over the case.

Sweepstakes’ Legality Under Scrutiny

District Attorney Krasner, a Democrat, filed the suit Monday to halt the America PAC sweepstakes, which invites participants from battleground states who sign a pro-Constitution petition. Krasner has hinted that criminal charges may follow, stressing his role in protecting the public from illegal lotteries and “election interference.”

Election law experts have questioned the legality of the sweepstakes, noting that federal law prohibits paying individuals to vote.

Musk describes the payouts as both prize money and earnings for spokespersons. Krasner, however, claims the sweepstakes is an illegal lottery that misleads participants and violates Pennsylvania law.

Stakes High in Battleground Pennsylvania

As Trump and Kamala Harris battle for Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes, Musk has committed over $70 million to the America PAC, taking a direct role in Trump’s campaign. Known for his work with SpaceX, Tesla, and X, Musk has labeled the 2024 election as crucial to “civilization’s future” and has poured significant resources into his super PAC to help Trump and other Republicans gain ground in November.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.