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Elon Musk, the world's richest man, faced a large audience at a town hall in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. During the event, Musk minimized the severity of the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot and suggested that mail-in ballots could lead to electoral fraud. In response to a query about young voters concerned about a potential second Trump presidency, Musk remarked, "The media tries to characterize Jan. 6 as some sort of violent insurrection, which is simply not the case," a statement that drew applause from the crowd. It is noteworthy that over 100 law enforcement officers were injured during the attack when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.

Musk elaborated that while he disagreed with the methods used by the January 6 protesters, he believed their grievances had some merit. He also contended that people labeling Trump as a threat to democracy are themselves a threat to democracy, a point that was well-received by the audience. Musk further defended Trump, stating that the former president had advised against violence, although Trump also urged the crowd to "fight like hell" to prevent Biden's certification.

The town hall, held in a Lancaster hotel ballroom, featured a two-hour question-and-answer session with Musk, where he discussed topics like space exploration, the Tesla Cybertruck, immigration, and psychiatric drugs. The event was part of Musk's strategic efforts via his super PAC to support Donald Trump in key swing states for the upcoming November 5 election against Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump has even indicated that Musk would have a role in his administration if he wins the presidency.

Among the crowd, Musk was celebrated as a visionary, with many seeking his advice on a variety of subjects, including education and tax loopholes. Lancaster County has shown electoral support for Trump in previous presidential elections, and Pennsylvania was crucial in both the 2016 and 2020 races. Musk voiced his opinion on regulating artificial intelligence and criticized "woke religion" while expressing concerns over the U.S. birth rate.

Having committed over $70 million to Trump's campaign, Musk has urged early voting despite expressing reservations about mail ballots, calling them a potential recipe for fraud. States, however, have several measures in place to verify these ballots, including signature requirements.

Additionally, Musk brought Judey Kamora on stage to present her with a $1 million check as part of his daily giveaway to a voter in a swing state who endorses his super PAC's pro-Constitution petition. This sweepstakes has sparked warnings from the Justice Department about potential violations of federal election law, though these concerns were not addressed at the town hall. The Wall Street Journal recently reported Musk's ongoing communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a topic also left unmentioned during the event.

Attendees like UPS driver Josh Fox welcomed Musk's million-dollar giveaways, seeing them as a means to rally Constitution supporters despite possible legal questions. Fox, a Trump supporter, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, believing it to be a legitimate effort to bolster support.