An Elon Musk-backed political action committee is under investigation in Michigan because it possibly violated state laws. Apparently, the Donald Trump-friendly PAC – called America PAC – has been getting detailed voter information from folks living in Michigan and other states by tricking them into submitting their personal data through a section on the PAC’s website that says “register to vote.” Obviously, they were not actually being registered to vote.
After clicking the “register to vote” tab on America PAC’s website, potential voters in states like Michigan can enter their ZIP code, address and phone number, according to CNBC Then, folks with a Michigan address are brought to a page that says “thank you” and asks users to “complete the form below” to finish up the voter registration process. It’s all a big lie to deceive people. CNBC notes that as of August 4, there are no forms that can be completed below the “thank you message.”
Here’s what a spokesperson for Michigan’s secretary of state’s office told CNBC about the matter:
“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.”
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“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.
Musk’s America PAC is looking to launch a new website in the coming weeks, a person with direct knowledge of its operations told CNBC. Right now, it’s not 100 percent clear if America PAC broke any laws in Michigan, which feels wild considering the website tricks people into thinking they registered to vote.
Musk, one of the richest son of a guns in the world, has publically endorsed Donald Trump for president as his ideologies and beliefs stray farther and farther to the right.