Musk Seeks Dismissal of Class Action Over $1 Million-a-Day Giveaway

Musk Seeks Dismissal of Class Action Over $1 Million-a-Day Giveaway

Elon Musk Faces Allegations of Deceptive Practices

Elon Musk has requested a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit accusing him of misleading voters into signing a petition in exchange for a chance to win $1 million per day. The lawsuit, filed in Austin, Texas, claims the initiative violated Texas laws against deceptive trade practices.

Petition as an Alleged Lottery

The lawsuit, led by Arizona resident Jacqueline McAferty, alleges that Musk and his political action committee (PAC), America PAC, falsely promoted the giveaway as a random lottery. McAferty claims the promise of random winners enticed voters in battleground states to sign the petition, which was part of Musk’s efforts to support Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Musk’s Defense: No Lottery Involved

In court filings, Musk argued the giveaway did not constitute a lottery. He stated that participants were reviewed for an opportunity to earn $1 million by serving as spokespeople for America PAC, rather than being awarded a random prize. Musk emphasized, “An eligible voter’s opportunity to earn is not the same thing as a chance to win.”

Privacy Concerns Raised by Plaintiffs

The lawsuit also alleges that voters suffered harm by providing their personal information, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers, which could be sold or used for political purposes. Musk has dismissed these claims, arguing no tangible harm resulted from the data collection.

Philadelphia Judge’s Earlier Decision

The lawsuit follows a related ruling in Philadelphia, where a judge refused to halt Musk’s giveaway, finding insufficient evidence to classify it as an illegal lottery. This prior ruling may influence the Texas court’s decision.

Damages Sought by the Proposed Class

The plaintiffs in the Texas case are seeking at least $5 million in damages for individuals who signed the petition, alleging they were misled into participating.

Case Details

• Case Name: McAferty v. Musk et al.
• Court: U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• Case Number: 24-01346

This case highlights the legal and ethical challenges of integrating large-scale giveaways with political campaigns, as well as the potential privacy implications of voter data collection.

“Musk Seeks Dismissal of Class Action Over $1 Million-a-Day Giveaway” “Musk Seeks Dismissal of Class Action Over $1 Million-a-Day Giveaway” “Musk Seeks Dismissal of Class Action Over $1 Million-a-Day Giveaway”