Trump / Musk (other than DOGE)

[rodoheel]

Advancing EV’s, expanding internet access, dramatically lowering the cost of space missions, translating brain waves…there’s a whole world outside of politics where some positive things are happening.

So why doesn’t he spend all of his time on those things rather than tweeting all kinds of stupid and dangerous BS and stumping for Trump?

 

[BillOfRights]

 

[1moretimeagain]

They’re not voters though, they are petition signers. (wink wink)

 

[nycfan]

 

[Icky Mettle]

I appreciate the insightful, constructive reply, as do the others who’ve piled on the likes.
Constructive, insightful, thoughtful reply.

You’re welcome!

 

[nycfan]

 

[heelinhell]

Peter Thiel Invests In Polymarket Political Betting Platform—But The Future Of Gambling On Elections Remains Unclear

Regulators proposed new rules Friday that would explicitly ban gambling on political contests.

www.forbes.com

4 Theories Why Trump Is Winning Big in the Betting Markets

“They’re convincing themselves this is real.”

nymag.com

What we know about the mystery trader betting big on a Trump win

Fredi9999 has placed millions of dollars in bets on Trump winning the presidential race — so much that it could be swaying the prediction markets.

www.newsweek.com

 

[rodoheel]

Don’t worry, Elon has now responded:



No big deal, just the worlds richest man trying to get random state officials killed for political and personal gain.

 

[superrific]

I hope someone prosecutes his ass for paying voters. That shit is very illegal. Josh Shapiro knows it. If Kamala wins, DOJ needs to prosecute that motherfucker and throw his ass in jail. Don't be scared of his lawyers. They can't do anything to protect him.

 

[JCTarheel82]

I hope someone prosecutes his ass for paying voters. That shit is very illegal. Josh Shapiro knows it. If Kamala wins, DOJ needs to prosecute that motherfucker and throw his ass in jail. Don't be scared of his lawyers. They can't do anything to protect him.

I already have the nickname FElon lined up and ready to go if this happens.

 

[lawtig02]

I already have the nickname FElon lined up and ready to go if this happens.

I assume that handle has already been registered with X?

 

[farce©]

I already have the nickname FElon lined up and ready to go if this happens.

I think I prefer fElon

 

[Calheel]

I hope someone prosecutes his ass for paying voters. That shit is very illegal. Josh Shapiro knows it. If Kamala wins, DOJ needs to prosecute that motherfucker and throw his ass in jail. Don't be scared of his lawyers. They can't do anything to protect him.

He's not paying voters. He's paying people to sign a petition. Are you aware of any law against that (there may be, but I'd think it would have First Amendment problems under Citizens United).

 

[JCTarheel82]

I think I prefer fElon

You're right. Good call. I'll split any future copyright profits with you

 

[farce©]

He's not paying voters. He's paying people to sign a petition. Are you aware of any law against that (there may be, but I'd think it would have First Amendment problems under Citizens United).

“Making a million dollar prize contingent on registering to vote is illegal. See 52 USC 10307(c) https://govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title52/pdf/USCODE-2023-title52-subtitleI-chap103-sec10307.pdf”

 

[Calheel]

“Making a million dollar prize contingent on registering to vote is illegal. See 52 USC 10307(c) https://govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title52/pdf/USCODE-2023-title52-subtitleI-chap103-sec10307.pdf”

I thought the million dollar prize was for people who signed his petition?

 

[farce©]

I thought the million dollar prize was for people who signed his petition?

But you have to register to vote to sign the petition.

 

[Calheel]

But you have to register to vote to sign the petition.

Where do you see that?

 

[superrific]

He's not paying voters. He's paying people to sign a petition. Are you aware of any law against that (there may be, but I'd think it would have First Amendment problems under Citizens United).

There would not be First Am problems under Citizens United. I looked into this issue quite a bit a few years ago. I was thinking about writing on it.

 

[Calheel]

Where do you see that?

Elon Musk Veers Into Clearly Illegal Vote Buying, Offering $1 Million Per Day Lottery Prize Only to Registered Voters #ELB

Hugo Lowell: “Elon Musk says on stage at a town hall that America PAC will be awarding $1 million every day until the election to a registered Pennsylvania voter who has signed his petition. Musk awarded the first $1 million … Continue reading Elon Musk Veers Into Clearly Illegal Vote Buying...

electionlawblog.org

Rick Hasen thinks it is illegal. I am not so sure. Per the linked screen grab in the post, Musk is requiring that you need to be a registered voter to sign the petition. But you don't need to be a newly registered voter.

Paying $47 per registered voter signed up would seem to be closer, but if you are paying the canvaser, and not the voter, I am note sure how that is materially different than paying voter canvasers.

Edit -- thinking about the issue some more and re-reading Hasen's post, he makes a good point that the petition lottery is limited to registered voters in 7 swing states, which suggests that the intent is to induce new registrations and not to get people to sign the petition. The petition is simply a smokescreen to give him a colorable scienter defense. Still, I think that would be a hard case to prosecute, and even if a conviction were obtained, I could see this Supreme Court ultimately reversing on First Amendment grounds.