Top Democrat wants Musk investigated over $1 million pledge to voters
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has suggested that police should investigate Elon Musk after the pro-Trump tech billionaire offered money to people who backed his petition in support of the US Constitution.
On Saturday, the CEO of X, SpaceX, and Tesla announced that he would give $1 million each day to registered voters in swing states if they signed his petition on defending “free speech and the right to bear arms.” He gave the first check to a man named John Dreher during a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the same day.
Musk, who is campaigning for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and has spoken at his events, said the giveaway would run until Election Day on November 5.
Shapiro, a former state attorney general and a prominent Democrat who was reportedly considered a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, called Musk’s actions “deeply concerning.”
“I think there are real questions with how he is spending money in this race, how the dark money is flowing, not just into Pennsylvania, but apparently now into the pockets of Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“It’s something that law enforcement could take a look at,” the governor added.
“Musk obviously has a right to be able to express his views,” Shapiro said. “I don’t deny him that right. But when you start flowing this kind of money into politics, I think it raises serious questions that folks may want to take a look at.”
The tech mogul began to openly support Trump after the former president narrowly survived an assassination attempt in July. In recent months, Musk has donated $75 million to the pro-Trump America PAC.
With tight polls and two weeks of campaigning left, Harris and Trump are currently battling to win the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nevada, which would be crucial to securing victory on election night.
