Elon Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, has stirred controversy by encouraging voter fraud in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). This came ahead of Elon Musk’s appearance at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in support of former President Donald Trump.
Maye Musk, with over 1.1 million followers, quoted her son’s post, where he encouraged people to register to vote before Georgia’s registration deadline. However, she took it further by suggesting that followers could vote multiple times under fake names, a clear violation of federal law.
In her post, she wrote:
“The Democrats have given us another option. You don’t have to register to vote. On Election Day, have 10 fake names, go to 10 polling booths and vote 10 times. That’s 100 votes, and it’s not illegal. Maybe we should work the system too.”
The Democrats have given us another option. You don’t have to register to vote. On Election Day, have 10 fake names, go to 10 polling booths and vote 10 times. That’s 100 votes, and it’s not illegal. Maybe we should work the system too. https://t.co/GZ5DlaoFPs
— Maye Musk (@mayemusk) October 5, 2024
Her post quickly attracted attention, particularly from attorneys and legal experts who pointed out that her suggestion was illegal and a solicitation of a crime. Within hours, X added a community note under her post stating that her claim was false and linked to the U.S. Code, which prohibits intentional multiple voting.
Legal Backlash and Solicitation of a Crime
Legal experts responded immediately to Maye Musk’s post, highlighting the serious consequences of her suggestion. One attorney tweeted:
“This tweet constitutes the solicitation of a crime and is in itself a fully completed criminal act. If at least one person acts on your solicitation, you could also be charged with conspiracy. You should retract this tweet immediately.”
Another civil rights attorney questioned Musk’s post, asking:
“Do you have any credible evidence Democrats are engaging in that practice?”
Maye Musk, in response to the backlash, followed up with another post advising her followers to “ignore” her previous tweet. She added:
“In Butler, Pennsylvania, we just heard that the Republicans will make sure no illegals vote. Ignore my previous post.”
Her attempt to deflect did little to quell the controversy, as multiple users tagged the Federal Election Commission and the FBI, urging an investigation into the matter.
Elon Musk’s False Claims at the Rally
At the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Donald Trump also spoke, Elon Musk made alarming and false claims. He warned the crowd that if Trump does not win the upcoming election, it could be the “last election” in the United States.
Musk stated:
“President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America.”
The statements raised concerns about spreading misinformation and deepening fears of electoral interference. Elon Musk, who has become increasingly involved in political discourse despite lacking a background in politics, has been criticized for amplifying divisive rhetoric.
The incident further highlights concerns about the influence of high-profile individuals in the political landscape, particularly when their statements lead to the spread of false information or illegal activities.
