Tech billionaire Elon Musk entertained a standing room-only crowd of more than 1,200 people Sunday at the Roxian Theatre and one of them left a little happier than the others.
For the second time in as many days, Musk handed out a million-dollar check in his campaign to reward voters in swing states for signing a petition put forth by his pro-Trump political action committee – America PAC – to support the Constitution’s First and Second amendments.
This time, the giant check presented from the McKees Rocks stage went to a woman named Kristine Fishell, who told Musk she appreciated all the work he’s done to “save speech.”
“Thank you so much,” Fishell said after walking up on stage clad in jeans and a red Trump/Vance T-shirt. Musk, meanwhile, had a gold Terrible Towel draped over his shoulder; earlier he had leaped on stage waving the Steelers’ good-luck charm.
“Oh my gosh,” Fishell said. “I truly believe everything you’re doing. Truly. You don’t need to be doing it. I know a lot of us feel the same way. Your wealth and your responsibility you are using to save speech and we just all appreciate it. We really do. So thank you so much.”
Musk, who is believed to be the richest man on Earth – Fortune magazine pegged his net worth at $241 billion as of Tuesday – has pledged to give away $1 million to a random signer of his petition each day leading up to the Nov. 5 presidential election.
“All you have to do is sign a petition in support of the Constitution,” Musk told the crowd while waiting for Fishell to make her way from her seat to the Roxian stage. “You don’t even have to vote. You just have to a sign a petition saying you believe in the Constitution. Which, if you already believe in the Constitution, you’re just signing something you already believe, and you can win a million dollars.”
His first check went reportedly went to a man named John Dreher, who was presented the check Saturday night during a rally in Harrisburg.
“The only thing we ask is that you be a spokesperson for the petition,” Musk said. “That’s it, really.”
On NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro questioned whether doling out money for signing the petitions is legal.
“I think it’s something that law enforcement could take a look at,” Shapiro told Kristen Welker. “I’m not the attorney general anymore of Pennsylvania. I’m the governor, but it does raise some serious questions.”
Shapiro said he has real questions with how Musk is spending money in the presidential race “how the dark money is flowing, not just into Pennsylvania, but apparently now into the pockets of Pennsylvanians.
“That is deeply concerning.”
Last week, Musk posted on X – the social media platform that he owns along with Tesla and SpaceX, among other things – that anyone in Pennsylvania who’s a registered voter can receive $100 “for signing our petition in support of free speech and the right to bear arms.” The X post said the offer was valid until midnight Monday.
Billed as a town hall, Sunday’s event featured a 30-minute speech by Musk during which he urged people to register to vote and vote early.
Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick joined Musk on stage at the start of the event, saying that Musk’s message about the American dream slipping away “is exactly the reason I’m running for this Senate seat. We’ve got to save our country and this is the most important election of our lifetime.
“This race is going to end in 16 days we’ve got to get people out to vote.”
Musk said that in the greater Pittsburgh area, 60,000 registered Republican voters who’ve requested an absentee ballot have yet to mail them in. Musk encouraged those in the crowd to talk with family, friends and acquaintances – and “everyone you meet” to encourage them to submit their ballots.
“Come on, guys – do it,” Musk said.
Musk also accused the highest officials in the Democratic party of creating disinformation. He said those who are trying to suppress freedom of speech are “the bad guys.”
Musk said the Constitution is under attack by Democrats, especially the first two amendments. “That’s why we have to have a clean sweep with those who believe in the Constitution and will uphold the Constitution,” said Musk, who echoed McCormick’s sentiments about the upcoming election being the “most important election of our lifetime.”
“President Trump,” Musk said, “is the only one who can save democracy.”
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