Pennsylvania judge accelerates Elon Musk giveaway lawsuit, will hold hearing on Thursday

A Philadelphia judge on Wednesday rescheduled and relocated a hearing on Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s lawsuit seeking to halt Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway to swing state voters.

Krasner sued Musk and his America PAC on Monday, claiming that its $1 million giveaway violated state law because it allegedly operated as a lottery. Under Pennsylvania law, all lotteries must be regulated by the Commonwealth.

Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Angelo Foglietta said he would now hold the hearing on Thursday in a courtroom at City Hall, instead of in the city courthouse on Friday, per Politico. The judge claimed the new location would have better security than the courthouse.

Foglietta also ordered all parties to be present at the hearing, including Musk and a representative from his PAC, CNBC reported.

Musk has defended the giveaway program as stating that the winner “can be from any or no political party," and that they do not even need to vote. Instead registered voters have to sign a petition in support of the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. 

Musk's America PAC is also giving people $47 for each registered voter they refer to sign the petition.

The Justice Department warned Musk's political action committee last week that the program could be illegal, because paying voters could violate federal law. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.