SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk took part in a town hall-style meeting at Ridley High School in Folsom, Pennsylvania on October 17, 2024. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
Billionaire Elon Musk made a commitment on Saturday to donate $1 million each day until the November election to someone who signs his online petition supporting the U.S. Constitution.
He wasted no time and immediately presented a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania, which aimed at rallying supporters behind Republican Donald Trump. The lucky winner was a man named John Dreher, according to event staff.
“By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you’re welcome,” said the Tesla founder as he handed Dreher the check.
This money is just the latest example of Musk using his immense wealth to influence the closely contested presidential race between Trump and his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
Musk established America PAC, a political action organization he founded in support of Trump’s presidential campaign. The group is assisting in mobilizing and registering voters in battleground states, although there are indications that it is struggling to meet its objectives.
The event in Harrisburg is the third in as many days in Pennsylvania, where Musk is emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election and urging supporters to vote early and encourage others to do the same.
He stated on Saturday that if Harris were to win, it would signify “the last election,” implying that the U.S. would cease to exist.
Musk also mentioned the two assassination attempts against Trump as evidence that he is causing disruption and challenging the status quo in ways that Harris is not. He pointed out that nobody is attempting to harm Harris.
“Assassinating a puppet is pointless,” Musk remarked, echoing a sentiment he has previously shared on social media.
The petition Musk is asking people to sign declares: “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.”
Attendees of Saturday’s event were required to sign the petition, enabling America PAC to collect contact details for more potential voters that they can mobilize to support Trump at the polls.
Musk, who is ranked by Forbes as the wealthiest person in the world, has already contributed at least $75 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, making the group a critical component of Trump’s campaign to reclaim the White House.
The entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX has increasingly aligned himself with Republican causes and this year has become a vocal supporter of Trump.
In return, Trump has indicated that if re-elected, he would appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission.