Billionaire Elon Musk made headlines on Saturday by pledging to give away $1 million each day until November’s U.S. election to someone who signs his petition in support of the U.S. Constitution. Musk kick-started this initiative by awarding a $1 million check to John Dreher, an attendee at an event in Pennsylvania meant to rally support for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
“By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you’re welcome,” Musk quipped as he handed over the check to Dreher. This cash giveaway is the latest in a series of efforts by Musk to leverage his vast fortune to influence the highly contested presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.
Musk’s political action committee (PAC), America PAC, which he founded in support of Trump, is focused on mobilizing voters in key battleground states. However, recent reports indicate that the PAC has faced challenges in reaching its registration goals. Musk has held three events in Pennsylvania over the last few days, urging supporters to vote early and motivate others to do the same. At Saturday’s event, he framed the upcoming election as critical, claiming that if Harris wins, it could be “the last election,” hinting at dire consequences for the future of the U.S.
During his speech, Musk referenced two assassination attempts on Trump, arguing that they demonstrate Trump’s disruptive influence on the political landscape, something he claims Harris is incapable of achieving. “Assassinating a puppet is worthless,” Musk remarked, reiterating a claim he made earlier on social media.
The petition, which Musk is encouraging people to sign, pledges support for the First and Second Amendments, affirming freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. Attendees at the Pennsylvania event were required to sign the petition, allowing America PAC to collect voter contact details as part of its effort to boost Trump’s voter turnout.
Musk, ranked by Forbes as the richest person in the world, has contributed at least $75 million to America PAC, according to federal records, making it a key player in Trump’s bid for re-election. Musk, known for his ventures in Tesla and SpaceX, has increasingly aligned with Republican causes, emerging this year as a vocal Trump supporter. In response, Trump has stated that, if re-elected, he would appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission.