Musk and America PAC Agree to Settle Lawsuits Over 2024 $1 Million Voter Lottery

Elon Musk and his America PAC said Thursday they have agreed to settle two proposed class-action lawsuits accusing them of defrauding voters in seven swing states ahead of the 2024 presidential election by promising a lottery-style $1 million daily giveaway.

The defendants notified the federal court in Austin, Texas, that the settlements are subject to court approval, according to Reuters. The court filings did not include settlement terms, and lawyers for the parties declined to comment or did not respond to requests for more information.

The plaintiffs, Arizona residents, said Musk and America PAC misled registered voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina into signing a petition supporting the U.S. Constitution by promising $1 million each day to randomly selected signatories, according to the suits. The plaintiffs argued the winners were not chosen at random from the pool of signatories.

Terms withheld as both sides stay silent

Musk and America PAC have denied the allegations of wrongdoing. According to the Austin American-Statesman, 18 people received the $1 million payout during the run-up to Election Day 2024 as the sweepstakes played out across the battleground states.

A federal judge ruled in June that Musk would have to testify in the cases. If approved, the settlements end the litigation without a trial. America PAC was founded by Musk to support Donald Trump’s successful 2024 presidential run.

Musk’s representatives argued in defense of the payouts that the recipients were vetted and chosen to serve as paid spokespeople for America PAC, with the $1 million designated as compensation rather than a random lottery win, Livemint reported. The Justice Department had also warned America PAC that the sweepstakes could run afoul of federal law.

Reporting based on coverage by Reuters and Livemint.