A Philadelphia judge is holding a hearing to address the city prosecutor's attempt to halt Elon Musk's $1 million-a-day sweepstakes in battleground states. The sweepstakes, organized by Musk's political organization to support Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has come under scrutiny.
The Philadelphia District Attorney, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the America PAC sweepstakes, which is scheduled to continue until Election Day. The hearing, set to take place in a City Hall courtroom, will address the motions related to this legal matter.
Legal representatives for the defendants, including Matthew Haverstick, have not confirmed whether Musk will be present at the hearing. The sweepstakes is open to individuals in battleground states who endorse a petition in support of the Constitution.
The District Attorney has raised concerns about potential criminal charges, citing the need to safeguard the public from illegal lotteries and any actions that could compromise the integrity of elections. Election law experts have also questioned whether the sweepstakes violates federal laws prohibiting the payment of individuals to vote.
Musk has defended the sweepstakes, framing the money as both a prize and compensation for his role as a spokesperson for the organization. The lawsuit alleges that America PAC and Musk are violating Pennsylvania's laws against illegal lotteries and consumer deception.
Both presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, have been actively campaigning in Pennsylvania, a crucial state with 19 electoral votes up for grabs. Musk, known for his ventures such as SpaceX and Tesla, has strongly supported Trump in this election, emphasizing the significance of the outcome for civilization.
Through his super PAC, Musk has dedicated over $70 million to support Trump and other Republican candidates in the upcoming election. The super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited funds, is playing a significant role in mobilizing voters to support Trump's campaign.
