### Philadelphia DA Sues Elon Musk over Alleged Illegal $1 Million Voter Giveaway

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has filed a lawsuit against Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his America PAC, alleging their $1 million daily giveaway to voters in swing states like Pennsylvania constitutes an illegal lottery. Krasner, addressing the court on Monday, argued that Musk and his PAC are fully aware of the illegality of their actions.

“This initiative is a scam and a grift,” Krasner stated during a court hearing, adding that the giveaway, which purportedly has distributed $16 million to date, is an “illegal lottery.” He sought an injunction to halt the promotion, asserting that there is no First Amendment right to commit crimes or fraud.

Krasner firmly denied that his political affiliation as a Democrat influenced his decision to sue Musk, who is supporting Republican candidate Donald Trump in the presidential race against Kamala Harris. Asked if he would take similar legal action against pop star Taylor Swift, who endorses Harris and might conduct a comparable giveaway, the DA affirmed that he would not hesitate to sue.

The lawsuit accuses Musk and his PAC of violating Pennsylvania's consumer protection and lottery laws by requiring participants to sign a petition supporting the Constitution to enter the giveaway. The daily drawings are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Despite the legal challenges, Chris Gober, the former treasurer of America PAC, claimed that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence Musk for backing Trump.

“This court appearance is about maintaining the First Amendment freedoms that are fundamental to our nation,” Gober argued. He testified that the giveaway should not be considered an illegal lottery since there is no prize but rather contractual obligations where selected participants serve as spokespersons for the PAC.

Gober's testimony, which described the selection of recipients as not random, sparked sharp criticism from Krasner’s lawyer, John Summers, who referred to it as an apparent admission of liability. Krasner also countered Gober’s claims, noting that evidence from the ongoing criminal investigation shows recipients were intended to be randomly selected, making Gober's argument about the interchangeability of "random" and "chance" seem insincere.

“This is one of the most disingenuous defenses I’ve ever heard in my 37 years in court,” Krasner concluded. The court case continues to develop as both parties present their arguments.