In a bold move aimed at rallying support for Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming election, Elon Musk has launched an unusual initiative: giving away $1 million daily to a randomly selected individual. Speaking to a packed audience at a recent event in Pittsburgh, Musk stood in front of a massive U.S. flag, declaring his affection for the crowd. “This kind of energy lights a fire in my soul,” he said, right after one lucky attendee was handed a check worth a million dollars amid chants of his name.
However, the generous giveaway had a catch. Participants were required to sign a petition supporting Musk’s political action committee (PAC), which is focused on helping Trump reclaim the presidency. While many might find such a spectacle surreal—or even illegal—there appeared to be little concern from those in attendance, including Musk himself.
This Pittsburgh stop was part of Musk’s whirlwind tour through Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state where he has reportedly contributed $75 million to Trump’s re-election campaign. Interestingly, Musk also hinted at a willingness to accept a position within Trump’s administration should Trump win.
Critics have labeled Musk’s daily $1 million giveaways as potentially illegal, suggesting it resembles vote-buying. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro voiced his discomfort with the initiative, urging law enforcement to investigate. In response to inquiries, Musk’s America PAC did not provide any comment.
The lucky recipient of Sunday’s giveaway was Kristine Fishell, who donned a red Trump T-shirt as she collected her winnings. In a brief statement afterward, she expressed gratitude not only for the financial reward but also for Musk’s commitment to protecting free speech. However, after receiving her oversized check, Fishell did not return for further questions, and organizers did not arrange for interviews with her.
Interestingly, many attendees had registered for the event before the announcement of the $1 million giveaway. Most of them expressed a surprising indifference to Musk potentially serving in a Trump administration, despite the obvious conflicts of interest given his companies’ lucrative contracts with the government. “I don’t think it’s a conflict of interest,” one unnamed attendee remarked, adding that Musk represents Americans who feel their rights are being diminished, particularly regarding free speech.
Evan Huber dismissed concerns about the merger of wealth and politics, stating, “At that point all you can get is power; you already have all the money.” Lauren Stephenson, a 40-year-old independent voter, arrived early to secure her spot, insisting, “We need more entrepreneurs.” Despite not winning the cash prize, she mentioned her plans to buy a Tesla.
Throughout the event, Musk repeated several falsehoods related to Trump’s campaign, claiming that the constitution was under siege and that a Trump defeat could jeopardize American democracy. His comments drew a mix of approval and skepticism from the audience, with some asking about everything from his companies to his vision for artificial intelligence. One bold attendee even asked Musk if he’d consider running for president in 2028. Musk, however, expressed his disdain for politics: “I hate politics. I just like building stuff and making products that people love.”
As the event concluded, some attendees started filtering out, and Musk departed behind a privacy curtain in a dark SUV, leaving a few empty seats visible in the auditorium. When the Guardian attempted to ask Musk about his reluctance to engage with journalists, the motorcade simply drove away, leaving the question unanswered.
