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Craig Lassig / AFP
- Mark Cuban stated on CNBC that the current presidential race is primarily between Kamala Harris and Elon Musk.
- Cuban emphasized that voter turnout will be crucial in determining the election’s outcome, an area where Musk is focusing his efforts.
- Musk has introduced financial incentives to encourage voter registration and announced a $1 million lottery aimed at voters in swing states.
The Evolving Landscape of the Presidential Campaign
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban recently remarked that the ongoing presidential campaign has transformed into a contest primarily between Vice President Kamala Harris and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, rather than involving former President Donald Trump directly.
Cuban’s Insights on Voter Engagement
During his appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Cuban articulated that Harris is not only contending with Trump but also with Musk, who acts as an influential supporter for Trump’s campaign. He noted that this year’s election results will significantly depend on voter turnout—a critical issue that Musk has prioritized in recent weeks.
“Ultimately, it boils down to ‘get out the vote,'” said Cuban, who has actively campaigned for Harris. “Interestingly enough, it’s more about the competition between Harris and Elon than it is against Trump.”
Musk’s Strategies to Boost Voter Participation
Musk initially endorsed Trump back in July before establishing his super PAC to support him. Recently, he has made increasing voter participation one of his main objectives leading up to Election Day.
This month alone, Musk’s America PAC offered $100 to registered voters in Pennsylvania who signed petitions advocating for free speech rights and gun ownership. Additionally, he provided $47 rewards for referrals from swing state voters who also participated. Furthermore, he pledged daily giveaways of $1 million checks randomly selected from petition signers until November 5th—the date of the election.
Reactions from Political Advisors
Brian Hughes, a senior advisor for Trump’s campaign commented: “The backing from numerous industry leaders like Elon Musk signifies that President Trump remains the clear frontrunner.”
Cuban’s Perspective on Innovative Tactics
Cuban did not shy away from sharing his thoughts regarding Musk’s financial incentives aimed at registering voters during his CNBC segment. He described these tactics as both “innovative” yet potentially “desperate.” The two billionaires have exchanged barbs publicly over their differing political allegiances throughout this electoral cycle.
“You resort to such measures when you feel it’s necessary; however using sweepstakes isn’t entirely misguided,” Cuban remarked. “Whether or not it proves effective remains uncertain—it could just as easily backfire—but experimentation is key.”
The Legal Implications Surrounding Incentives
Experts specializing in election law have raised concerns regarding whether these monetary giveaways are permissible under current regulations since laws typically prohibit compensating individuals solely for registering to vote.
Some legal analysts suggest that while there may be ambiguity surrounding these payments due to their conditional nature—requiring petition signing rather than direct registration—they still occupy a legally questionable space. Matthew Alvarez from Rutan and Tucker law firm indicated that although these actions might skirt legality issues slightly, criminal repercussions are unlikely for Musk based on existing laws.
Musk’s Response Amid Controversy
Musk has yet to address claims questioning either the efficacy or legality of his initiatives directly; instead opting to share via social media platform X: “The intense backlash from radical leftists makes it all worthwhile.”
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