Attendees snapped photos as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk addressed a town hall event organized by America PAC in support of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Centre in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on October 18, 2024. – AFP
Billionaire Elon Musk pledged on Saturday to distribute $1 million daily until November's election to individuals who sign his online petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution. He promptly awarded a $1 million check to an attendee at his Pennsylvania event aimed at galvanizing support for Republican Donald Trump. The recipient was a man named John Dreher, according to event staff.
"By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you're welcome," the Tesla founder remarked as he handed Dreher the check. This financial gesture is the latest instance of Musk leveraging his vast wealth to sway the closely-fought presidential contest between Trump and his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
Musk initiated America PAC, a political action organization he established in support of Trump's presidential campaign. The group is aiding in mobilizing and registering voters in key states, though there are indications it is struggling to meet its objectives. The Harrisburg event marked the third in a series of three consecutive days in Pennsylvania, where Musk is framing November's election in stark terms and urging supporters to vote early and encourage others to do the same.
Musk stated on Saturday that if Harris prevails, it will be "the last election," implying that the U.S. will cease to exist. He also highlighted the two assassination attempts on Trump as evidence that he is disrupting the status quo in ways Harris won't. Musk argued that this is why no one is attempting to assassinate Harris.
"Assassinating a puppet is worthless," Musk said, echoing a point he made in a social media post. The petition Musk is urging people to sign reads: "The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments."
Attendees at Saturday's event were required to sign the petition, enabling America PAC to collect contact information for potential voters it can work to get to the polls for Trump. According to federal disclosures, Musk, ranked by Forbes as the world's richest person, has so far contributed at least $75 million to America PAC, making the group a pivotal part of Trump's effort to reclaim the White House.
The entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX has increasingly aligned with Republican causes and this year emerged as a vocal Trump supporter. In return, Trump has indicated that if re-elected, he would appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission.
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