A judge has ruled that Elon Musks $1million voter giveaway can continue.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk and his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, last week, calling the $1million awards to registered voters in battleground states an illegal lottery scheme.
Krasner had asked that the daily giveaways be shut down, but Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta declined to do so after a daylong hearing on Monday featuring Musks lawyers and prosecutors.
Foglietta did not immediately provide a reason for his decision, though no more giveaways were planned in Pennsylvania. Musk did not attend Mondays hearing.
SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million check during the town hall at the Roxain Theater on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Elon Musk (pictured, right, onstage in Philadelphia) promised to give away $1million every day until November 5 to registered voters in key swing states who signed his online free speech and gun rights petition
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at a campaign rally alongside former president and White House hopeful Donald Trump
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO promised last month to give away $1million daily until Election Day.
According to the America PAC website, 16 people, including four in Pennsylvania, have received the $1 million awards. The winners were reportedly randomly selected among those who signed a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights.
The offer was limited to registered voters in one of seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the Nov. 5 election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Musk gave away the first $1million at an October 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvanias state capital.
The Justice Department warned Musk and his America PAC last month that the sweepstakes may violate federal law, which prohibits paying people to register to vote.
Musk, 53, who also owns X, formerly Twitter, has thrown his millions, time and considerable influence into backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since endorsing him in July.
Musk, the worlds richest man, has reportedly donated at least $118million to his political action committee, an organization which collects funds for elections.
He has also appeared on stage with Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and hosted a series of town halls on his own in the eastern state, seen as critical in todays election.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner waits for a hearing to begin at a City Hall courtroom on October 31
Musk, who previously supported Barack Obama but has become increasingly conservative in recent years, peppers his 202 million followers on X daily with messages championing Trump and denigrating his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
The lawsuit over his giveaway said it should be stopped because it amounts to an illegal lottery that violates consumer protection laws by using deceptive language.
DA Krasner said in a statement following the filing of the complaint: The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries.
The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections.
Krasners office said Musk and America PAC have not published clear rules for the giveaway and has not said how they are protecting voters personal information.
He also said people who receive Musks money are not actually chosen at random, citing two winners who attended two pro-Trump rallies.
Musk has so far given nearly $120million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, making the group a crucial part of Trumps bid to regain the White House.
The entrepreneur has increasingly supported Republican causes and this year became an outspoken Trump supporter.
Trump in turn has said that if elected, he would appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission.