• Elon Musk is facing a lawsuit over his $1 million-a-day giveaway, accused of fraud by voters who signed his petition.
• The plaintiff, Jacqueline McAferty, alleges that the winners were predetermined and not chosen randomly as claimed.
• The lawsuit also suggests that Musk profited from the giveaway by driving traffic to his social media platform and collecting personal data.
• The case, which seeks $5 million in damages, brings to light the debate about the role of money in politics.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X, is currently embroiled in a legal controversy. Musk has been sued in a proposed class action by registered voters who signed his petition to support the Constitution for a chance to win his $1 million-a-day giveaway. The plaintiffs now claim it was a fraud.

The lawsuit was filed by Jacqueline McAferty, an Arizona resident, in the Austin, Texas federal court. McAferty alleges that Musk and his America PAC organization falsely induced voters to sign the petition by claiming they would choose winners randomly.

However, she claims the winners were predetermined. This allegation was seemingly confirmed by Chris Gober, a lawyer for Musk, during a hearing in Pennsylvania. Gober stated, "The $1m recipients are not chosen by chance. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1m recipient today and tomorrow."

Musk's Giveaway: A Profitable Venture?

McAferty also alleges that the defendants profited from the giveaway by driving traffic and attention to Musk's X social media platform and by collecting personal information such as her name, address, and phone number that they could sell. Lawyers for both parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the complaint.

The lawsuit was filed a day after a Philadelphia judge denied a request by that city's district attorney Larry Krasner to end the giveaway, which Krasner called an illegal lottery. The ruling was largely symbolic as Musk has no plans to give out more money following the U.S. presidential election.

The Influence of Money in Politics

Musk, a Texas resident, opened the giveaway to voters in seven battleground states who signed a petition to support free speech and gun rights. The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for everyone who signed.

Musk, who has supported Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, has so far given nearly $120 million to America PAC to promote its voter mobilization and registration efforts.

This case is reminiscent of historical instances where influential figures have been accused of using their wealth and influence to sway public opinion or elections. For instance, in the 19th century, wealthy industrialists were often accused of buying votes to secure favorable legislation.

While the methods have evolved, the underlying issue of money in politics remains a contentious one.