Tech billionaire and Republican megadonor Elon Musk on Thursday settled two remaining lawsuits stemming from his $1 million gifts to voters during the 2024 election, according to court filings, ending a two-year legal saga.
During the latter part of the 2024 presidential race, Musk’s super PAC launched a $1 million daily distribution to registered voters in battleground states, while Musk urged voters to support Donald Trump.
After the election, voters in a handful of battleground states filed proposed civil fraud class-action lawsuits against Musk and his political group, America PAC, both of which deny any wrongdoing. Voters claimed Musk tricked them into believing they would have a good chance of winning money if they entered the drawing, which included handing over their private data to his political organization.
Musk had publicly stated that the payments would be distributed “randomly” to registered voters. But his lawyers later acknowledged in court that the winners were “not chosen by chance” but rather based on their ability to be a strong spokesperson for the pro-Trump super PAC.
CNN 5 things about how Elon Musk is trying to tip the scales in the midterms — and why some election officials are worried
When it comes to campaign spending, one person has spent more than anyone else: billionaire Elon Musk. However, some election officials say his efforts to bolster Republicans could mislead voters. We look at what voters see and how it could muddy the waters on Election Day. — Guest: Fredreka Schouten, CNN National Politics Editor Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
October 15, 2026 • 12 min
In court filings in the two separate cases Thursday, attorneys for Musk and the constituents said they had settled the dispute. The documents did not describe the terms of the settlements.
CNN has requested comment from Musk’s spokesperson and attorneys representing the constituents who sued him.
This year, Musk has resumed his role as a Republican megadonor – with at least $276 million in donations to Republican candidates for the midterm elections. He also remained a leading promoter of election-related misinformation, as he was in 2024.
The Justice Department warned Musk in 2024 that the million-dollar gifts could violate longstanding federal laws against vote buying.
The Philadelphia district attorney sued to end the contest while it was still underway, but a state judge ruled on the eve of Election Day that it could proceed.
Wisconsin’s bipartisan Elections Commission concluded earlier this year that Musk likely broke state law by offering similar cash gifts during a judicial race in the state in 2025. But prosecutors declined to file charges because, they said, the evidence was too weak to secure a corruption conviction.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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