45 Comments

Musk has not actually “built a fortune” in the conventional sense. He was born wealthy and lucked without actually building much of anything. He then took over Tesla from it's original owners and may have helped the company grow for a time, but he is now driving it into the ground. SpaceX is a special case, and this company really does appear to be accomplishing things, but it seems self-evident that this is despite Elon, not because of him.

Musk is as transactional as Trump. A trump presidency will allow billionaires to hang on to more of their money. Trump will ease the pesky restrictions that Musk hates, which is why billionaires are trying to buy this election. I sure hope we don't let them!

Vote blue up and down the ballot.

I'll be celebrating Harris/Walz victory wearing this rainbow flag "We the People means EVERYONE" t-shirt in the streets! 👇

libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/wtpmelb

Expand full comment
deletedOct 22
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I do not care for Musk. However, we like our Tesla solar system, and I really, really hope the Tesla car company does well because I live near the Gigafactory in Texas, and if that company goes bust, it's gonna hurt a lot of working folks around here. All that said, I'm so glad he wasn't born here, because he'd be planning a run for president if he had been.

Expand full comment

One other Federal agency may be looking into Musk's PAC - the IRS. Lottery payouts are subject to a mandatory Federal 24% tax withholding and PA may also require withholding at the state/city/local level. The PAC will be required to submit any withholding to the appropriate governmental department along with the proper forms, and to issue a W2-G form to the winners. I wonder if the winners know that this payment is subject to income taxes at all applicable levels. This is not a gift because it requires specific actions on the part of the winner - being a registered voter and signing the petition.

Expand full comment

I've been wondering the same thing. But, I'm also wondering if there's any way to confirm whether any of those named are real people who have received $1,000,000.

Expand full comment

I read that at least a couple of them are already registered Republican who vote on a regular basis. They are most likely MAGA folk playing along with the scam just like the McDonald's "customers". It's all a reality show. SMH

Expand full comment

I was thinking about this the other day, wondering if it is like the lottery, where taxes get taken out.

Expand full comment

At this point, he’s just daring anyone to do something about it.

Expand full comment
author

And he's learned the same lesson about accountability that Trump has—which is that he can usually avoid it

Expand full comment

Frustrating as heck! That someone could be doing something possibly illegal in regard to the election and it’s “too close” to do anything about it? Sheesh!

Expand full comment
Oct 22Liked by Todd Beeton

Where is Merrick Garland on this, and why ISN'T the DOJ looking into this?

Is this not within their purview?

Expand full comment
author

That's a good question. One would think if it violates a federal law, but I'm not sure. When the relevant agency has no teeth, you'd think there would be a different channel for accountability. But maybe that's naive

Expand full comment

I've asked "Where is Merrick Garland?" so many times during the last 4 years that I sound like a rabid parrot.

Expand full comment

He doesn't golf, so, yeah, where the eff is the man?

Expand full comment

Has anyone checked his office in the last 48 months to see if he is still alive???

Expand full comment

Reading his Federalist Society newsletters.

Expand full comment

Will he see his children when he's in prison? Probably not, given that he doesn't bother to see them now. He certainly won't see Vivian, who has disowned him.

Expand full comment
Oct 22Liked by Todd Beeton

I don't see anything of substance happening to Elno, in the short term. If he's even charged (remote possibility, IMO), he'll just delay it until after the election, just like Trump does. And if he's actually found guilty of something, what's it going to be, a fine, at worst? It'll be chump change to him. And he'll probably appeal it all the way to SCOTUS, just because that's how he does. Just like Trump.

Which is not at all to say that I don't hugely appreciate the effort in putting together this essay. Even when we are forlorn, we should do the right things. Thank you.

Expand full comment

If Trump wins the Justice department will be under MAGA control and charges will not materialize or they will be dismissed. The rule of law will just be a quaint phrase.

Expand full comment

One word describes my reaction to the current state of the trump campaign: infuriating. Given who he is, and what he has done, he should never have become the candidate. Given his current state of mind, and the depths of depravity to which Musk and his other followers have sunk, we are faced with the possibility of a psychologically deranged tyrant being "elected"--only to turn over the real reins of power to his laughable (but dangerous) Vice President in order to implement the outrageous Project 2025 and destroy our country and democracy. We must not let that happen! Vote blue!!!

Expand full comment

This is the logical outcome of the Citizens United ruling by the Roberts' SCOTUS. Our Founding Fathers never envisioned people so wealthy that they can buy anything, including elections. This problem needs to be addressed through legislation but, considering the gridlock in Congress, nothing will ever get done until we elect a majority of people who will vote to do something about it.

Expand full comment

I don't think this is gambling or lottery as Cuban suggests (it appears to technically be a sweepstakes), so the legality rests on the voter registration requirement. I only wish I lived in a swing state. I'd love to win his $1MM and then donate it to local Democrats.

Expand full comment

If the powers that currently be stated this might be illegal and if it is found to be such, the recipients might be held liable for fraud, election buying violations, etc.; might it bring people's enthusiasm down for "winning" ?

Expand full comment

Our democracy is just not equipped to deal with the

OUR democracy is just not equipped to deal with the Ultra Wealthy. Even if they are sued, they have the financial resources to drag it all the way to SCOTUS and this version seems inclined to view money as 'Free Speech'. Unless the dynamics of this SCOTUS change drastically, we can expect no help from the Judicial Branch.

Expand full comment

“How long do you think my prison sentence is going to be?” the world’s richest man quipped. “Will I see my children? I don’t know.”

But he doesn't even see his children now!

Expand full comment

I kinda feel more stressed now than when Kamala became the nominee. Frankly, I’m more scared that SOB is gonna win and there goes our democracy.

Expand full comment

Do we really think one more dipshit will be held accountable? This needs to be dealt with IMMEDIATELY! Who wouldn’t vote red to get a million bucks? Sounds like election fraud to me.

Expand full comment

He is a fvcking narcissist just like dumpster ! I don't know why people think he is a genius because he isn't ! He has not made anything , that would be the people that work for him ! He just uses his money to bully his way into the companies ! He has destroyed Twitter to allow his hate and loathing of rules and regulations ! I'm sure offering people million dollars to vote for dumpster is illegal but probably nothing will be done ! I'm sooooo sick of this asshat douchebag !🤬🤬🤬

Expand full comment

Why would Musk even give a shit? If and when the somnolent Merrick Garland rouses himself to send a note to any US Attorney's office to - you know - "Say, guys, uh, what's up with "Leon" actually paying people to...yadda, yadda?", the election will have been long over, and nobody got hurt.

He can get away with it because uber-wealthy, end of.

It's the Murkan way...freedum!

Expand full comment