CNBC has reported that a political action committee backed by billionaire Elon Musk is being investigated by the Michigan Secretary of state’s office amid efforts to collect voter data.
NEW: A political action committee reportedly backed by Elon Musk is under investigation for “potential violations” according to CNBC.
When they can’t beat you, they try and rig the game.
The investigation was launched by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat,… pic.twitter.com/YhDaq8E2qQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 5, 2024
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that he created and helped fund the America PAC, which is supporting former President Donald Trump. Musk has a net worth of over $225 billion, according to Forbes.
It has come to light that the committee has been acquiring detailed voter information from those living in Michigan and other battleground states after people submit their data through a section on the PAC’s website that says “register to vote.”
After clicking on the “register to vote” tab on America PAC’s website, users in states like Michigan can submit a ZIP code, address, and phone number. People with a Michigan address have been brought to a page that says “thank you” and asks users to “complete the form below” to help wrap up the voter registration process. As of Sunday afternoon, though, there was no other form to complete below the words “thank you.”
“Every citizen should know exactly how their personal information is being used by PACs, especially if an entity is claiming it will help people register to vote in Michigan or any other state,” a spokeswoman for the Michigan secretary of state’s office said in a statement to CNBC.
“While the America PAC is a federal political action committee, the Department is reviewing their activities to determine if there have been any violations of state law. We will refer potential violations to the Michigan Attorney General’s office as appropriate,” the spokeswoman added.
CNBC first reported on the group’s efforts and how the site does not directly register people to vote for those with an address in a swing state.
A person having direct knowledge of the PAC’s operations told CNBC that at one point since the group registered with the Federal Election Commission in May, the links on the website were functioning properly. However, the person but admits that now they’re not. The group has planned to launch a new website in the coming weeks, this person explained. The person declined to be named to speak freely about private matters.
A Democrat Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s secretary of state and the lead election official in the state. She has been a vocal opponent of election-related misinformation and has taken on such statements made by former President Donald Trump. The Republican National Committee has sued Benson and other Michigan Democrats at least twice this year, according to legal records. It’s unclear if any laws in Michigan have been broken by the America PAC.
