Elon Musk Ordered to Testify in Election Lottery Lawsuits
A federal judge ordered tech billionaire Elon Musk to provide sworn testimony regarding a pair of proposed class-action lawsuits. The legal actions accuse him of deceptive practices involving a $1 million-per-day sweepstakes targeting swing-state voters during the 2024 presidential campaign cycle.
Key Highlights
- A federal magistrate judge ruled Elon Musk must testify under oath in two class-action fraud lawsuits.
- The lawsuits focus on the $1 million-a-day sweepstakes run by America PAC during the 2024 election.
- The court recommended pushing forward with claims that the political action committee deceived voters for data collection.
- Internal testimony revealed that top PAC officials were surprised by Musk’s public framing of the lottery.
In a legal recommendation issued on Thursday, US Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower of Austin, Texas, also proposed that Musk and his political action organization, America PAC, answer allegations that they misled citizens into surrendering personal data during the sweepstakes. However, she noted that an accompanying breach of contract allegation warrants dismissal.
The mandate requires Musk to face questioning under oath for two separate civil actions. The plaintiffs assert he defrauded voters in critical battleground states ahead of the 2024 election by pitching a daily million-dollar prize.
Defense attorneys representing Musk did not issue immediate responses regarding the judicial order. Similarly, legal counsel representing the plaintiffs in both civil matters either did not return messages or declined to provide immediate comment.
Plaintiffs say $1 million winners not random
The legal complaints filed by Arizona residents Joy Harvick and Jacqueline McAferty allege that Musk and America PAC deceived voters across seven battleground states. They state individuals were enticed to sign a constitutional support petition under the premise that the $1 million awards would be distributed purely by chance.
The filings argue that participants held no genuine opportunity to win. The plaintiffs highlighted statements from a defense attorney indicating the 18 recipients were strategically selected to serve as public representatives for America PAC.
Musk established America PAC to finance the successful 2024 White House bid of Republican Donald Trump. The billionaire introduced the cash giveaway during an October town hall event in Pennsylvania.
Musk maintains status as the world‘s wealthiest individual. His expansive corporate portfolio includes the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and the aerospace corporation SpaceX.
Judge says it is unclear if Musk spoke recklessly
While recommending that McAfertyβs fraud allegations proceed, Hightower emphasized that determining whether Musk acted with reckless disregard when describing the payouts as random remains an unresolved issue.
The magistrate judge cited a February 2026 deposition from America PAC Director Christopher Young, who admitted he felt surprised by the billionaireβs specific terminology.
Young testified that the phrasing did not align with how management and legal advisors had structured the operational roadmap for the promotional initiative.
US District Judge Robert Pitman will review Hightower’s findings in Austin. Pitman will also independently decide a separate motion by Musk and America PAC to dismiss Harvick’s lawsuit.
Future Outlook
The upcoming review by District Judge Robert Pitman will establish whether these class-actions head toward a full trial. Should the court uphold these recommendations, Musk will face rigorous depositions regarding the intersection of corporate finance, political action committees, and voter data acquisition. This case is poised to set a critical legal precedent for how high-profile billionaires utilize massive financial incentives to influence federal elections.
FAQs
Why is Elon Musk being ordered to testify?
A federal judge ruled that Elon Musk must give testimony under oath regarding two lawsuits accusing him of defrauding voters. The legal actions stem from his $1 million-a-day promotional giveaway conducted during the 2024 presidential election campaign.
What are the core allegations against America PAC?
The plaintiffs allege that the sweepstakes was not a random lottery as publicly advertised. Instead, they argue that the 18 winners were handpicked to be spokespeople, and that the initiative was a deceptive tactic to gather personal identifying data from voters in seven swing states.
What did America PAC leadership say about the giveaway?
During a February 2026 deposition, America PAC Director Christopher Young testified that he was surprised by Musk’s description of the sweepstakes as random. He stated that the description did not match the operational guidelines established during consultations with legal counsel.
Which courts are handling these legal cases?
The cases are being processed in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin. US Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower issued the initial recommendations, which are now subject to final review by US District Judge Robert Pitman.
