Elon Musk says $1 million election giveaway wasn’t an illegal lottery By Reuters

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) – Elon Musk asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action brought by voters who say the world’s richest man defrauded them of his $1 million gift.

Appearing in federal court in Texas late Friday night, Musk rejected the claim that the “sweepstakes” presented by the wheel was an illegal “sweepstakes.”

Arizona resident Jacqueline McCaffery claimed that Musk and his political action committee falsely conditioned voters in seven battleground states by promising that winners would be chosen.

Musk founded America’s Peck to support Republican Donald Trump’s successful 2024 presidential bid.

According to Musk, however, voters were told they would be reviewed for an opportunity to earn $1 million by becoming America’s PAC Spokpheople.

This, Musk said.

“Don’t make a mistake. A voter’s eligible opportunity is not a right to earn, is not the same as a chance to win,” Musk said.

It is possible, he added. “It wasn’t involved here.”

Musk also rejected the suggestion that the petitioner caused harm by providing their names, addresses and phone numbers, which they said Musk and America could sell.

Lawyers for the proposed class did not immediately respond for comment Sunday.

The lawsuit was filed on Election Day, 2024. On November 5.

A day earlier, a Philadelphia judge refused to end Musk’s giveaways, saying the city’s top prosecutor also failed to show it was an illegal lottery.

McAferty’s lawsuit is seeking at least $5 million each for all those who signed the petition.

Musk is a resident of Texas and his electric car company Tesla (NASDAQ:) is based in Austin.

The case is McAferty V Musk et Al, US District Court, Western District of Texas, No. 24-01346.