Musk ups investment in pro-Trump super PAC to $118M
Elon Musk loaded another $43.6 million into America PAC, his pro-Trump super PAC, in the first few weeks of October, bringing his total investment to about $118 million, campaign finance records show.
The tech billionaire contributed $11 million to America PAC on Oct. 4, followed by another $10 million on Oct. 9, $7.9 million on Oct. 11 and $14.7 million on Oct. 15, according to a Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing submitted Thursday.
The super PAC also received $1 million from activist investor Nelson Peltz. Multiple members of the DeVos family, including former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, also contributed.
Musk had already committed $75 million to the PAC, which has taken a leading role in former President Trump's get-out-the-vote campaign efforts in swing states.
The latest contributions from the Tesla and SpaceX CEO come as America PAC has launched a daily $1 million giveaway to registered voters in swing states through the end of the election.
The PAC has handed out six $1 million checks thus far. The sweepstakes are open to registered voters in seven swing states who have signed the PAC’s petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms.
However, the sweepstakes have faced scrutiny from campaign finance and legal experts. The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly sent America PAC a letter warning that the giveaways could potentially violate a federal law against paying people to register to vote.
While the PAC briefly appeared to halt the sweepstakes Wednesday, a source familiar with its efforts told The Hill that the program was never paused and that Wednesday’s check was delayed by logistical issues.
America PAC handed out two more $1 million checks Thursday to individuals in Michigan and Wisconsin.