‘Misleading voters’ Elon Musk sued over $1 million US election giveaway

Elon Musk $1 million giveaway:  Elon Musk faces a proposed class action lawsuit filed on Tuesday by registered voters who participated in his petition to support the US Constitution for a chance to win his $1 million-a-day giveaway, which they now allege was fraudulent.

The complaint, submitted by Arizona resident Jacqueline McAferty in federal court in Austin, Texas, accuses Musk and his America PAC organisation of misleading voters by promising randomly chosen winners, though the selection was allegedly predetermined. McAferty claims the defendants benefitted financially by driving attention to Musk's social media platform, X, and by collecting personal information—such as names, addresses, and phone numbers—that could be sold.

Neither Musk's legal representatives nor McAferty’s attorneys have commented on the case.

McAferty’s suit follows a decision by a Philadelphia judge, who declined to halt the giveaway despite local district attorney Larry Krasner’s objections, labelling it an illegal lottery. However, Musk has reportedly concluded the giveaway after the US presidential election, making the ruling largely symbolic.

The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for those who signed the petition. Musk, based in Texas, is also the CEO of Austin-headquartered Tesla . He has supported Republican candidate Donald Trump in the presidential race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

(With Reuters inputs)