A Trump campaign worker was the last winner of Musk's controversial $1M election sweepstake. Elon Musk's $1 million sweepstake ended with a Michigan man winning the final prize. The selection process faced legal scrutiny for not being random, as the winners were handpicked. The last winner was paid thousands by the Trump campaign and was pictured at campaign events.
Controversial Sweepstake
Elon Musk's controversial $1 million swing state giveaway concluded with the final prize going to a Michigan man who had worked on President-Elect Donald Trump's campaign. The sweepstakes, funded by Musk through America PAC, a pro-Trump super PAC, distributed daily prizes in the lead-up to the election. The prizes went to registered voters in swing states who signed an online petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights. In return, participants received cash payments of up to $100 and a chance to win $1 million.
Final Winner Announced
On the sweepstakes' final day, America PAC announced Tyler VanAkin of Reading, Michigan, as the last $1 million check recipient. However, it omitted key details about VanAkin's work for the Republican presidential campaign, and also that he was en route to Trump's election night watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Financial Times was the first to report the details, based on election filings.
Legal Scrutiny and Lawsuit
In announcing the sweepstake on October 19, Musk said, "We're gonna be awarding a million dollars, randomly, every day from now until the election." It was later revealed that it was not random at all and that America PAC was hand-selecting recipients. In October, Philadelphia County District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and his super PAC, characterizing it as an illegal lottery scheme. But Judge Angelo Foglietta of Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas allowed the giveaway to continue in Pennsylvania, writing in a decision that Musk's giveaway failed to meet the criteria required for a lottery under Pennsylvania law.
Selection Process and Compensation
During the hearing, America PAC's treasurer testified that those chosen to win were "selected by the organization in a multi-step process." The PAC said this involved reviewing participants' social media posts and meeting them in person. Musk's lawyers also said at the hearing that individuals were selected based on their "suitability" to serve as spokespersons for the PAC, and that the windfall would not be lottery winnings but compensation for being chosen as spokespeople.
Trump Campaign Payments
A year-end FEC filing by America PAC shows that VanAkin was paid $1 million on November 12, 2024, a week after his win was announced, for his services as a "spokesperson consultant." FEC filings for the Trump campaign show that VanAkin worked for them between June and October, earning a little over $14,200 for "advance consulting & per diem," and receiving more than $16,300 in travel reimbursements. Instagram posts also show that VanAkin, who works as a chiropractor, attended a bus tour stop with campaign staff, wearing a Trump-Vance branded jacket, and was in attendance at the West Palm Beach election watch party.
America PAC, the Trump campaign, and VanAkin did not immediately respond to Business Insider's requests for comment.
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By: jzitser@businessinsider.com (Joshua Nelken-Zitser)
Title: Michigan man who worked for Trump campaign wins Elon Musk’s controversial $1M election sweepstake
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/trump-campaign-worker-last-winner-elon-musk-million-election-giveaway-2025-1
Published Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:00:56 +0000
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