Akinlolu Oluwamuyiwa
Billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has vowed to pay $47 to anyone who refers a person that signs a petition supporting the United States’ First and Second Amendments—free speech and the right to bear arms. Musk called the initiative “easy money,” aiming to gather one million signatures from voters in key swing states ahead of the upcoming US election.
The initiative was launched by Musk’s America Political Action Committee (PAC) and is focused on key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona and other key swing states. These states hold significant electoral college votes that could determine the next US President. The petition drive is set to run until October 21, less than three weeks before Election Day.
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Musk, who has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, promoted the campaign through his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). He encouraged his 200 million followers to sign the petition and make referrals to others. “Sign our petition to support the Constitution! Also, earn $47 for every person you refer to sign the petition if they’re in a swing state. The goal is to get 1M voters in swing states to show support for free speech & right to bear arms,” Musk posted on X.
Critics have raised concerns about potential election interference, accusing Musk of attempting to “buy votes.” However, legal experts argue that Musk’s actions do not constitute vote-buying. According to a campaign-finance lawyer quoted in The New York Times, “The fact that they are only paying the referrer rather than the signatory further insulates the PAC from any accusations that they are buying votes.”
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To receive the payment, the website set up for the petition requires individuals to provide an email address, cellphone number, and mailing address, all of which will be verified before any payment is made to the referrer.
Musk’s initiative aligns with his political stance, which leans towards supporting Donald Trump. At a rally in Pennsylvania, Musk emphasised the importance of free speech and gun rights, arguing that these are foundational to American democracy. “Free speech is the bedrock of Democracy,” Musk said. “If people don’t know the truth, how can they make an informed vote? That’s why the First Amendment exists, and the Second Amendment ensures we can protect it.”
Trump who is currently bidding to be in the Whitehouse for his second term which he lost to President Joe Biden, in turn, has expressed interest in hiring Musk to lead a government efficiency commission should he regain the White House, further cementing their political alignment.
