Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Jimmy Williams
If a voter in Michigan searches for voter registration information on Google, they might encounter a startling ad. This ad, produced by America PAC, begins with a young man lying in bed late at night when he receives a text: “Hey you need to vote,” followed by a video of an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The man hears gunshots and screams as Trump, with blood pouring down his face, is rushed off the stage. In shock, the man texts back, “This is out of control. How do I start?”
The ad then displays a website link for America PAC, which claims to assist viewers in registering to vote. However, the experience varies greatly depending on the user’s location.
In non-competitive states like California or Wyoming, users are prompted to enter their email addresses and zip codes, leading them to a state-specific voter registration page. In contrast, users in battleground states such as Pennsylvania or Georgia are directed to a detailed personal information form, asking for their address, cell phone number, and age. Even after submitting this information, users are not guided to a voter registration page but are instead shown a “thank you” page.
Thus, individuals seeking help to register end up providing valuable personal data to a political operation, rather than receiving assistance. This operation is a political action committee (PAC) created by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, aimed at supporting Trump’s campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, the de facto Democratic nominee.
“I have created a PAC, or a super PAC … the America PAC,” Musk announced in a recent interview.
Musk, who owns the social media platform X and has a net worth of over $235 billion, now plays a significant role in the presidential election due to his vast resources and platform.
Musk PAC Uses ‘Register to Vote’ Data
Since early July, America PAC has spent over $800,000 on digital ads targeting voters in key battleground states, including Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, according to AdImpact. These ads, displayed on Facebook, Instagram, and Google through YouTube, encourage people to register to vote via America PAC’s website.
The PAC’s strategy of collecting personal data under the guise of voter registration is integral to its plan for personalized voter contact. Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director at the campaign finance watchdog Documented, explains, “America PAC is focusing on door-to-door canvassing in support of Trump. The voter data gathered through these digital appeals are going to inform America PAC’s canvassing and other political activities.”
America PAC’s privacy policy states they may use collected data for “other activities and/or fundraising campaigns.” Since June, the PAC has spent over $21 million on canvassing, digital media, text messages, and phone calls, as per Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.
While the America PAC website does not reveal its political bias, its federal filings indicate that all activities are aimed at supporting Trump or opposing his competitor.
Fischer notes, “What makes America PAC unique is its billionaire backing and the timing of its creation.” Normally, super PACs cannot directly coordinate their ads with a campaign. However, a recent FEC ruling allows door-to-door canvassing to be coordinated with a campaign, as it is considered a person-to-person exchange rather than an advertisement.
Phil Cox, Generra Peck, and Dave Rexrode, veteran Republican strategists, are now leading the PAC after a shake-up in mid-July, potentially signaling a tactical shift for the November election.
High-Profile Backers and Future Impact
America PAC raised over $8 million between April and June, receiving donations from investors like Doug Leone, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale, who also co-founded the software company Palantir. Lonsdale is a leader of the PAC and a political confidant to Musk.
While Musk has indicated on X that he is donating to America PAC, the FEC records do not yet list him as a donor. The PAC’s third-quarter report, due on October 15, may reveal his contributions.
America PAC’s ads mirror Musk’s frequent messages on X, where he has 191 million followers, suggesting America is in chaos and Trump is the solution. Daniel Weiner, director of the Brennan Center’s elections and government program, notes, “These PACs often function as the alter ego of whatever billionaire is behind them.”
Experts, including Harvard Kennedy School professor Matthew Baum, express concerns about Musk’s ownership of X and his potential use of the platform to influence the election. “It is somewhat concerning that the owner of one of the most important social media platforms is openly partisan and is using his platform as a vehicle for pursuing his openly partisan ends,” Baum states.
With less than 100 days until Election Day, Musk’s control over X and his financial backing of America PAC could significantly impact the 2024 presidential election, making him a formidable force in American politics.
