Republican Officials Call for Investigation into Elon Musk's Actions

On October 22, 2024, a group of eleven former Republican officials issued a letter urging the U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Elon Musk's America PAC. The letter, obtained by the Washington Post, contends that Musk's recent actions of incentivizing registered voters with payment for signing a petition may amount to bribery. This effort directly ties to voter registration, as payments are contingent upon the individuals being registered before a key deadline in Pennsylvania. The petition itself, which simply proclaims support for the First and Second Amendments, has been criticized for lacking substance. Many signatories of the letter have noted that the petition does not serve its intended purpose of showcasing public support, and there is no transparency concerning the number of signers. In an aggressive move to solicit more signatures, Musk initially offered $47 for each referral that resulted in a petition signature but later increased the stakes by introducing a lottery that would distribute $1 million daily until the upcoming election. This escalation has heightened scrutiny regarding the motivations behind such tactics and their legality. Notably, some signatories of the letter have been identified as being opposed to former President Donald Trump, further complicating the political implications of this investigation. Concerns over the legality of Musk's actions have also been echoed by Pennsylvania officials, suggesting that his financial strategies could warrant further examination by law enforcement.