Elon Musk Is Attempting to Be the MrBeast of Politics

Once I think about the way forward for American politics I see Elon Musk’s grinning face as he provides away one million bucks on stage earlier than a crowd of clapping folks. Musk is approaching politics the way in which a YouTuber like MrBeast approaches viewers engagement. Each males are making a gift of enormous money prizes to get folks to tune in, and so they’re ignoring the legality and penalties of their actions.

Over the weekend, Musk handed out outsized novelty $1 million checks to 2 voters in Pennsylvania. Throughout a ceremony filmed and broadcast on X, the billionaire gave away the money to voters who signed a petition he’s peddling in help of the structure.

John Dreher, the primary million-dollar winner, is a self-professed enormous Musk fan. “Really assembly Elon, I type of forgot in regards to the cash for a little bit bit,” Dreher mentioned in a video on X. “He’s such an influential determine for guys my age who’re working arduous every single day.”

“When he got here on stage it was so thrilling,” Kristine Fishell, the second million-dollar winner, mentioned in her own video on X. “He did the soar like he did on the Butler rally, it was simply actually enjoyable to see.”

The movies are hanging as a result of they really feel extra like leisure than politics. In America, the 2 have lengthy gone hand in hand, however Musk making a gift of money prizes to registered voters and making them sit all the way down to movie testimonials afterward appears like a generational shift. These are the sorts of movies that will match nicely on the feed of a YouTuber like MrBeast who provides away enormous money prizes for individuals who compete in video games the place they undergo and humiliate themselves.

These two Pennsylvania residents obtained $1 million every from Elon Musk for signing a petition in help of the First and Second Amendments! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eef2a8C9ht

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) October 20, 2024

Musk has been closely concerned within the U.S. presidential election for the reason that tried assassination of Trump in July. He began a pro-Trump tremendous PAC and injected $75 million of his personal money, repeatedly posted his help for Trump on-line, and appeared with the candidate at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

However the billionaire’s newest scheme might violate marketing campaign finance legislation. He’s giving one fortunate voter in a swing state who indicators his petition $1 million per day, every single day, till the election. What’s the petition? It’s simple. “The First and Second Amendments assure freedom of speech and the appropriate to bear arms. By signing beneath, I’m pledging my help for the First and Second Amendments,” it says.

Any registered voter who indicators on the dotted line will get $47 bucks and is entered for an opportunity to win the $1 million. The money is simply obtainable to some voters. “This program is completely open to registered voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Expires October 21,” the petition says.

For those who’re questioning if that is authorized, you’re not alone. On Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called out Musk’s scheme on Meet the Press. “Musk clearly has a proper to have the ability to categorical his views. He’s made it very, very clear that he helps Donald Trump. I don’t. Clearly we now have a distinction of opinion,” Shapiro mentioned. “I don’t deny him that, proper, however once you begin flowing this type of cash into politics, I believe it raises critical questions.”

Rick Hansen, a authorized scholar on the UCLA Faculty of Legislation, known as out Musk’s giveaway on his Election Legislation Weblog. Hansen’s view? “This one is clearly unlawful,” Hansen mentioned of the $1 million giveaway.

Hansen pointed to part 52 U.S.C. 10307(c) of U.S. election legislation and web page 44 of the Justice Division’s Election Crimes Manual. “For a proposal or a fee to violate Part 10307(c), it should have been supposed to induce or reward the voter for participating in a number of acts essential to forged a poll,” the guide mentioned.

The matter isn’t clear-cut. The cash and prizes are for signing a petition, however the petition is thinly veiled and coated in language about registered voters. Of their movies, each Fishell and Dreher emphasised the significance of voting and voting early. It’s clear to anybody watching that the money prizes aren’t simply rewards for the petition, however financial incentives to get out the vote.

What’s going to come of this? Will Musk be prosecuted? I believe that may largely depend upon the result of the Presidential election. However one factor I do know for positive: the way forward for American politics may have extra MrBeast-style stunts.