Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says
Elon Musk Podcast5 Marras 2024

Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the recent ruling allowing Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter giveaway to continue through Election Day. This unprecedented promotion, run by Musk’s pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, is offering daily million-dollar payouts to selected voters in key battleground states. But with allegations of election interference, accusations of illegal lotteries, and a race against Election Day, Musk’s program faces serious scrutiny. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has taken a firm stand against the giveaway, calling it a “scam” to sway the election, but a Pennsylvania judge ruled to let it proceed. We'll unpack the legal arguments, hear from key players, and explore the potential fallout as Election Day approaches.

Questions We’ll Answer in This Episode:

  1. What makes Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day giveaway so controversial, and why is it drawing legal challenges?
  2. How does America PAC choose its recipients, and are they truly “random,” as Musk initially claimed?
  3. What are the implications of this giveaway in the final days of a highly contested election?

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Background on the Giveaway: America PAC, founded by Musk, has awarded $1 million daily to registered voters in swing states who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. This initiative launched on October 19 and is set to conclude on Election Day.

  • Legal Battle in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia’s District Attorney, Larry Krasner, argues the giveaway is an illegal lottery designed to influence voters. Krasner’s lawsuit sought an emergency halt to the program, but Judge Angelo Foglietta allowed it to continue, stating he would explain his reasoning in a forthcoming order.

  • America PAC’s Defense: America PAC claims its $1 million recipients are not randomly chosen, as Musk initially stated, but are selected based on their suitability as spokespeople for the PAC’s pro-Trump values. Musk’s legal team argues this makes the payments “salaries” rather than lottery prizes, sidestepping Pennsylvania’s lottery laws.

  • How Recipients are Selected: Chris Young, America PAC’s director, testified that recipients are vetted through background checks, social media reviews, and in-person meetings. He emphasized the organization’s intention to recruit individuals whose values align with the PAC’s political message.

  • Conflicting Messages: Musk’s previous comments suggested a random selection process, a claim that sparked further scrutiny. A video from an October rally captured Musk describing the giveaway as a random drawing, despite America PAC’s assertion that winners are carefully chosen.

  • Federal Concerns: The U.S. Department of Justice issued a warning to Musk’s PAC, noting that the program may violate federal laws against paying voters. Although federal prosecutors have not taken action, the warning has raised questions about the giveaway’s legality under election law.

  • America PAC’s Impact on Swing States: Musk’s financial backing has elevated America PAC’s influence in critical battlegrounds where the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remains close. With $120 million from Musk, America PAC has awarded $17 million to swing-state voters.

  • Closing Argument from Krasner’s Office: Prosecutors argue the giveaway is a sophisticated scheme to sway the election by misleading voters about the nature of the payments. Krasner described the defense’s explanations as “amazingly disingenuous,” arguing the PAC is skirting the law.

  • Conclusion of the Program: As Election Day marks the final day of the contest, no additional payments will be made in Pennsylvania. The judge confirmed with both parties that the promotion would end as scheduled.

Key Quotes:

  • “The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance.” – Chris Gober, attorney for Musk
  • “It’s about the most amazingly disingenuous defense I’ve heard in recent times.” – Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner

Jaksot(1179)

Tesla Software V10.0 Rundown

Tesla Software V10.0 Rundown

It’s here. Software Version 10.0 – our biggest software update ever. We’re raising the bar for what people have come to expect from their cars with new entertainment, gaming, music, and convenience features designed to make your car much more capable, as well as making time spent in your car more fun. This week, Tesla owners around the world will start waking up to Version 10.0 features via an over-the-air update.  Get 2 Free Audio Books at Audible: https://amzn.to/2l7FrWH SoFi - FREE $50 when you sign up and Deposit money into your Checking or Savings account. Get the best of checking and savings—in one account. Earn 2.25% APY. Start earning interest on your money from day one. See sofi site for details. https://sofi.com/share/2166964 Become a member of Space News Pod! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3HDBasMU2qS3svgtuzD2g/join https://anchor.fm/space-news https://patreon.com/spacenewspodcast https://youtube.com/spacenewspod https://twitch.tv/astrowil https://spacenewspodcast.com https://twitter.com/spacenewspod https://facebook.com/spacenewspod https://instagram.com/spacenewspod1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Syys 201910min

SpaceX Explosion - No further action needed on Crew Dragon explosion cleanup

SpaceX Explosion - No further action needed on Crew Dragon explosion cleanup

Florida environmental officials agree with a consultant that concluded "no further action" is needed to clean up after SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule explosion, which on April 20 sent toxic fumes that could be seen for miles. Get 2 Free Audio Books at Audible: https://amzn.to/2l7FrWH SoFi - FREE $50 when you sign up and Deposit money into your Checking or Savings account. Get the best of checking and savings—in one account. Earn 2.25% APY. Start earning interest on your money from day one. See sofi site for details. https://sofi.com/share/2166964 Become a member of Space News Pod! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3HDBasMU2qS3svgtuzD2g/join https://anchor.fm/space-news https://patreon.com/spacenewspodcast https://youtube.com/spacenewspod https://twitch.tv/astrowil https://spacenewspodcast.com https://twitter.com/spacenewspod https://facebook.com/spacenewspod https://instagram.com/spacenewspod1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Syys 201910min

Tesla and Musk hid facts about SolarCity deal and SpaceX involvement court docs claim

Tesla and Musk hid facts about SolarCity deal and SpaceX involvement court docs claim

Large shareholders are suing Tesla over their acquisition of SolarCity in late 2016. Unsealed court docs revealed new details about their claims on Monday. Get 2 Free Audio Books at Audible: https://amzn.to/2l7FrWH SoFi - FREE $50 when you sign up and Deposit money into your Checking or Savings account. Get the best of checking and savings—in one account. Earn 2.25% APY. Start earning interest on your money from day one. See sofi site for details. https://sofi.com/share/2166964 Become a member of Space News Pod! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3HDBasMU2qS3svgtuzD2g/join https://anchor.fm/space-news https://patreon.com/spacenewspodcast https://youtube.com/spacenewspod https://twitch.tv/astrowil https://spacenewspodcast.com https://twitter.com/spacenewspod https://facebook.com/spacenewspod https://instagram.com/spacenewspod1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Syys 201910min

Tesla's Million Mile Battery

Tesla's Million Mile Battery

Elon Musk promised Tesla would soon have a million-mile battery, more than double what drivers can expect today. A new paper suggests he wasn't exaggerating. Get 2 Free Audio Books at Audible: https://amzn.to/2l7FrWH SoFi - FREE $50 when you sign up and Deposit money into your Checking or Savings account. Get the best of checking and savings—in one account. Earn 2.25% APY. Start earning interest on your money from day one. See sofi site for details. https://sofi.com/share/2166964 Become a member of Space News Pod! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3HDBasMU2qS3svgtuzD2g/join https://anchor.fm/space-news https://patreon.com/spacenewspodcast https://youtube.com/spacenewspod https://twitch.tv/astrowil https://spacenewspodcast.com https://twitter.com/spacenewspod https://facebook.com/spacenewspod https://instagram.com/spacenewspod1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Syys 201910min

Elon Musk Warns about AI and Future of Humanity

Elon Musk Warns about AI and Future of Humanity

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in Shanghai China at the World Artificial Intelligence conference about AI and the downfall of humanity. Get 2 free audio books with Audible: https://amzn.to/2kGatFb --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Syys 201915min

Tesla Model 3 adds IIHS Top Safety Pick + to Achievements

Tesla Model 3 adds IIHS Top Safety Pick + to Achievements

The Tesla Model 3 has been run through the full battery of crash tests from the IIHS, and there are some reassuring results to report. It’s earned a spot on the insurance-industry-funded group’s Top Safety Pick+ honor roll, and it’s now one of just a few sedans to achieve both that and a flush of five stars in federal tests. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Syys 20198min

Jeff Bezos and Amazon Buy 100000 Rivian EVs

Jeff Bezos and Amazon Buy 100000 Rivian EVs

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said the company has placed an order for 100,000 electric delivery vans from Michigan-based startup Rivian. The announcement came during an event on Thursday in Washington, DC where Bezos unveiled Amazon’s sweeping plan to tackle climate change. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Syys 20198min

What is Elon Musks Work Schedule Like

What is Elon Musks Work Schedule Like

Elon Musk starts his day with his most critical work and schedules the rest of his day based on priority. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/elonmusknewspod/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/elon-musk-pod/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Syys 20196min