Harris on Musk’s $1M Giveaway to Registered Voters: ‘People Are Looking Into It’
Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday that she believes investigations are underway regarding Elon Musk’s offer to give away $1 million per day to a randomly selected voter who signs a petition pledging to defend free speech and the right to bear arms.
Musk has faced scrutiny over whether such methods, linked to his America PAC, which supports Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, comply with election laws. Harris did not offer a personal opinion on the legality of the giveaways, simply stating that she has heard reports of ongoing investigations.
Musk made the announcement Saturday night at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he awarded the first $1 million check to a member of the audience.
Before this latest announcement, experts were divided over whether offering prizes for signing the petition — open only to registered voters — violated laws by incentivizing voter registration. Musk’s legal team did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
A reporter questioned Harris, asking: “Elon Musk is offering $1 million a day to voters who sign a petition. Do you have any concerns about this within the legal framework of elections? Also, a Reuters investigation has highlighted around 300 cases of political violence leading up to the election. Can you address what can be done and what role the federal government can play in preventing such violence?”
Harris responded: “Well, on the first point, I believe people are looking into that. On the second point—” before the reporter interrupted.
The reporter clarified: “When you say ‘people,’ do you mean the U.S. government?”
“I mean, I’ve heard folks are looking into it based on what you all are reporting. As for the second point, there should be no place in America for political violence. Unfortunately, if we look back to January 6th, we saw an unprecedented attack incited by Donald Trump, a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, resulting in over 140 law enforcement officers being injured and some even losing their lives,” Harris explained.
“And yet, Donald Trump has still not acknowledged the gravity of that day or the violence that unfolded. I want to reiterate what most Americans understand: In our democracy, we should have no tolerance for political violence,” Harris continued.
Harris added, “In a democratic society, people will debate and disagree, but violence should never be the response. Everyone, especially those running for president, should speak out against it. Thank you.”
This conversation comes as concerns grow within Harris’ campaign team.
The “blue wall” states—Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—have been crucial in the last few presidential elections. However, with just 14 days before the November 5 election, Harris’ team is anxious about her chances of securing all three states. There are also growing concerns that North Carolina has “slipped away.”
“Discussions have begun around the possibility of an unusual split in the blue wall, where either Michigan or Wisconsin might flip to Trump, while the other states remain Democratic,” NBC News reported, citing three sources familiar with the campaign’s strategy.
“Losing either Wisconsin or Michigan would mean that even if Harris wins Pennsylvania — where both she and Trump have been focusing the most effort — she would still fall short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win, unless she can secure another battleground state or two,” the report added.
“There is some concern that Michigan or Wisconsin might fall,” a senior Harris campaign official said, with Michigan being the bigger worry.
Two other campaign strategists, speaking anonymously, expressed deep concerns about Michigan. However, they emphasized that all the battleground states remain competitive, and other paths to victory exist.
NBC News noted, “There’s additional worry about what the campaign once considered a reliable fallback option. Recently, Harris advisers highlighted North Carolina and Nevada’s electoral votes as a strong backup plan if Trump takes Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes. But now, with North Carolina slipping from their grasp, the Harris team is less optimistic, according to four sources familiar with the situation.”
“Of all the seven battleground states, North Carolina seems to be the one slipping away,” the Harris campaign official said.