Musk’s Sweepstakes Lawsuit Remains in Pennsylvania State Court

A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit against America PAC, the Elon Musk-backed political action committee (PAC) supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, will remain in Pennsylvania state court. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner initiated the legal action, seeking to block America PAC’s controversial daily sweepstakes offering $1 million to registered voters in swing states.

The Lawsuit Should Now Proceed as Normal

The PAC contended the suit should be moved to federal court, as it involves potential implications for the nationwide 5 November election. However, US District Judge Gerald Pappert rejected this argument in a five-page opinion, stating that Pennsylvania’s courts were wholly within their rights to adjudicate the case.

Defendants based removal (from state court) on both federal question and diversity jurisdiction, but neither applies. The court grants the motion and remands the case back to the court of common Pleas.

US District Judge Gerald Pappert

This legal development paves the way for Krasner’s team to continue the case in state court. He argues that America PAC’s sweepstakes were a form of illegal lottery that lacked the required regulatory approvals as they openly awarded $1 million prizes to random supporters who signed up.

The petition accompanying the sweepstakes also asked respondents to pledge to support the First and Second Amendments, causes that Republicans have repeatedly championed. Such actions raised significant concerns among election law experts, who noted the sweepstakes appeared like a last-ditch effort to drive turnout among Trump loyalists in swing states.

The Court Case Will Not Influence the Elections

The Department of Justice also weighed in on this controversy, sending an official letter to America PAC, warning that the sweepstakes could be violating election law. This action immediately caused the organization to stop publicly announcing winners. The DOJ noted that the sweepstakes ran afoul of federal laws that ban payments to influence voter registration.

The suit by Krasner marked the first formal attempt to block the sweepstakes amidst the increasingly high-stakes battle over the presidential race. Critics argue that such actions could undermine fair election practices and illegally influence the outcome, potentially tilting the scales in such a close contest.

While Krasner‘s lawsuit is unlikely to affect the broader political picture as Election Day looms on the horizon, it underscores the legal and ethical complexities surrounding the presidential race. Swirling rumors of Musk’s ambitions to enter politics highlight how digital campaigning and billionaire-backed political interventions may become increasingly more common.