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Elon Musk has been ordered to appear in court on Thursday in response to a lawsuit concerning $1 million payments made by his political campaign group to voters in key battleground states during the US election.
Earlier this month, Musk’s campaign group, America PAC, began distributing these payments, which critics claim is an improper and potentially illegal tactic to increase support and turnout for former President Donald Trump, whom Musk endorses.
On Monday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed a lawsuit aiming to halt the America PAC sweepstakes, which will run until Election Day. The sweepstakes is open to any registered voter in battleground states who agrees to sign a petition supporting the Constitution. However, Krasner contends that this effort requires individuals to disclose their personal information.
“In other words, America PAC and Musk are lulling Philadelphia citizens and others in the Commonwealth (and other swing states in the upcoming election) – to give up their personal identifying information and make a political pledge in exchange for the chance to win $1 million,” the lawsuit states. It further claims: “It is indisputably an unlawful lottery.”
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Judge Angelo Foglietta ordered all parties, including Musk, to attend a hearing on the issue at 10am on Thursday.
“It is further ordered that all parties must be present at the time of the hearing,” the judge wrote.
However, it remains uncertain whether the world’s richest man will attend.
According to the Associated Press, Matthew Haverstick, one of the attorneys representing the defendants, did not confirm Musk’s attendance at the hearing. Musk announced his support for Trump’s bid for a second term in July after the former president survived an assassination attempt at an election rally in Pennsylvania.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk posted on his social platform X, which he acquired in 2022.
Since then, Musk has leveraged his platform and wealth to become one of Trump’s most influential supporters, committing over $70 million to the political action committee to assist Trump and other Republicans in the upcoming elections. The lawsuit, a copy of which was reviewed by reporters, claims that America PAC has spent more than $133 million supporting Republican candidates.
America PAC has distributed millions to voters in the seven crucial swing states that are likely to decide the election outcome. The court hearing takes place less than a week before the November 5 presidential election, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Trump vigorously campaigning in what experts describe as a tightly contested race.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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