Tim Walz bashes Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway, calling it a 'tactic' to get voters for Donald Trump
In an appearance on "The View" on Monday, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz criticized Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway, calling it a "tactic" to get voters and accusing Donald Trump of having "no plan for the public."
Musk, who has been increasingly vocal about his support for Trump, announced Saturday that he is giving away $1 million every day until the election to a lucky person who signs an online petition, which aims to get signatures from registered voters in swing states.
The move has raised some legal questions and prompted a group of former Republican lawmakers, Justice Department officials and advisers to press Attorney General Merrick Garland for an investigation.
While doing the media rounds Monday, Walz appeared on "The View" and addressed the giveaway after Whoopi Goldberg brought it up, saying, "I thought you couldn't do this? What's happening?"
"Well I think that's what you do when you have no plan for the public," Walz replied. "When you have no economic plan that's gonna benefit the middle class, when you have to plan to protect reproductive rights, when you have no plan to address climate change and produce American energy, you go to these type of tactics."
More: Tim Walz addresses history of misstatements on 'The View,' hits Donald Trump
Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway raises legal questions
Musk is throwing his immense wealth behind Trump, giving $75 million in the quarter to the America PAC that backs Trump. Musk has become an increasingly public supporter of Trump and the former president has promised Musk a job in his administration if he wins a second presidency.
The first winner of Musk's giveaway attended a rally in Pennsylvania for those who support Trump.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called the giveaway "deeply concerning" and also called for an investigation.
Legal experts have raised questions about the initiative, as federal election law prohibits paying people to register to vote or to vote, USA TODAY previously reported. While some say it is a violation, others argue it works around the law by offering the money to people who sign a petition.
Contributing: Bart Jansen
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected], and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz on 'The View': VP candidate bashes Trump, Musk's $1M giveaway