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Despite Elon Musk’s lack of experience in politics, this hasn’t prevented the billionaire from establishing himself as a key figure within the current 2024 US Presidential race.
Now, as the election is closer than ever - with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris going head-to-head with former Republican President Donald Trump - Musk has initiated a new financial incentive to registered voters in the US.
The X (formerly Twitter) bigwig is offering $47 to every voter who refers others to sign a petition that supports the First and Second Amendments of the United States Constitution.
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For those less up to speed on their US history, the First Amendment states that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom of speech'.
The Second Amendment, as detailed by the Constitution Annotated, is in reference to 'the right of the people to keep and bear Arms'.
This brand-new initiative has been launched in the form of a petition by Turning Point Action and America PAC (Political Action Committee), a pro-Trump group backed and funded by Musk.
It’s designed to target swing states - states in the US were support for the two major political parties battling in the election have similar levels of support amongst voters. These States include Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
For every person you refer who is a swing state voter, you get $47! Easy money. https://t.co/5jCNuXIaui
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2024
According to the PAC website - which is only viewable to those based in the US - the ‘goal’ of the petition is to get 1 million registered voters in those swing states to sign up.
Musk’s PAC states that signing up would indicate support of the Constitution, which includes 'freedom of speech and the right to bear arms'.
The website explains that voters can receive $47 not just once, but for ‘each registered’ vote that’s referred to the petition.
The petition, which expires on October 21, was dubbed by Musk as ‘easy money’ while re-posting alt-right political voice Jack Poso’s original tweet about the initiative.
As it stands, US federal law prohibits any money exchanging hands for registering to vote in federal elections. However, financial incentives - such as this one - are allowed.
This isn’t Musk’s first dabbling in funding political-based groups. The non-profit organisation, Building America’s Future, is also funded by the billionaire Tesla CEO.
As reported by The Hill, in the past Musk has donated around $60 million to Republican-based groups and causes.
The tech billionaire also joined Donald Trump on stage during a rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend in the lead up to the 2024 election.
