Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, has pledged to give away $1 million daily until the US Presidential election in November to individuals who sign his online petition backing the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution.
The announcement was made at a campaign town hall in Pennsylvania, where Musk presented the first $1 million cheque to an unsuspecting attendee, John Dreher. Dreher, who had signed the petition without prior knowledge of the prize, was taken by surprise as Musk handed him the award.
"By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you're welcome," Musk said with a smile.
Musk’s petition, hosted on the America PAC website, calls on voters to pledge their support for free speech and gun rights—two controversial issues that have sparked widespread debate in the United States.
The initiative aims to gather one million signatures from voters in swing states, seen as crucial in determining the outcome of the upcoming election.
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"The First and Second Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. By signing below, I am pledging my support for the First and Second Amendments," the petition reads.
Musk’s political organisation, America PAC, is closely aligned with Donald Trump’s campaign, with the tech mogul having contributed at least $75 million to the group. America PAC has been actively mobilising and registering voters in key battleground states as part of Trump’s re-election bid.
Musk’s involvement is expected to further energise voters, particularly those who prioritise constitutional rights like free speech and the right to bear arms.
The billionaire’s stance on gun rights has stirred debate in an already divisive political climate. While some Americans see the right to bear arms as fundamental to personal freedom, others argue that increased access to firearms poses a significant risk to public safety.
The debate was reignited recently when Vice President Kamala Harris, a known advocate for stricter gun laws, admitted to owning a firearm herself, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
As Musk continues to award $1 million each day leading up to the election, the campaign is expected to keep the spotlight on two of the most contentious amendments in the US Constitution. Whether his initiative will significantly impact voter turnout remains to be seen, but it has certainly captured the nation’s attention.