Potential Election Law Violations
In response, Michigan’s chief elections official has launched an investigation into the “America PAC” for potential breaches of state election laws.
Source: Wikimedia
This PAC was founded and partially funded by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Michigan Official Stresses Transparency
“Every citizen should know exactly how their personal information is being used by PACs,” stated a spokeswoman for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, in a statement to CNBC.
Source: Wikimedia
She emphasized this especially applies if an entity claims it will help people register to vote in Michigan or any other state.
Different Voter Registration Pages
The PAC’s website directs visitors from reliably Democratic or Republican states to genuine voter registration pages.
Source: DilokaStudio/Freepik
However, those entering zip codes from battleground states like Pennsylvania or Georgia encounter a detailed form asking for their address, cellphone number, and age.
Misleading Tactic
Despite promising voter registration assistance, the website redirects users to a “thank you” page after they submit their information, without actually helping them register to vote.
Source: Freepik
Following criticism of this misleading tactic, the form was removed from the website as of August 4.
Millions of Dollars Invested
According to a CNBC report, America PAC has spent over $21 million since June on canvassing, digital media, text message services, and phone calls, based on Federal Election Commission filings.
Source: Blogging Guide/Unsplash
About $800,000 was allocated for digital marketing ads aimed at battleground state voters, many of which encouraged visits to the website to “register to vote.”
Data Likely Used for Door-to-Door Canvassing
“America PAC is focusing on door-to-door canvassing in support of Trump,” Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director at campaign finance watchdog Documented, told CNBC.
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“I think it is safe to assume that the voter data gathered through these digital appeals are going to inform America PAC’s canvassing and other political activities.”
FEC Permits Coordination
Fischer pointed out that FEC rules allow billionaire-funded PACs and presidential campaigns to directly coordinate on canvassing activities, ensuring that the PAC’s efforts benefit the campaign.
Source: Richard Bord/WireImage
This coordination also frees up the campaign’s funds for other uses.
Deceptive But Lawful
Some legal experts believe the PAC’s tactics, although deceptive, might be lawful.
Source: shurkin_son/Freepik
“I am not aware of any laws being broken,” Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, stated in an email to CNBC.
Tech Executives Team Up
Musk is not the sole tech executive funding the effort.
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America PAC, which raised over $8 million between April 1 and June 30, has also received contributions from venture capitalist Doug Leone, cryptocurrency investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and a company led by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.
Musk Claims Donations to PAC
While records do not yet list Musk as a donor, he has repeatedly stated that he is contributing to the committee.
Source: UK Government/Wikimedia Commons
Musk’s support for the PAC follows his use of his social media platform, X, to boost pro-Trump voices and manipulate community guidelines to suppress anti-Trump speech.
Musk Violates Platform Rules
Recently, he violated his own platform’s rules by sharing a doctored video of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Source: Wikimedia
Additionally, X temporarily suspended several pro-Harris accounts.