• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
PoliticsU.S. Presidential Election

Elon Musk’s troubled pro-Trump PAC is now being investigated by two swing states after appearing to scrape voters’ data

By
Eva Roytburg
Eva Roytburg
Fellow, News
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Eva Roytburg
Eva Roytburg
Fellow, News
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 6, 2024, 5:15 PM ET
Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., listens during a joint meeting of Congress with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US,
Elon Musk previously said that the super PAC “is not supposed to be a sort of hyperpartisan” organization. Getty
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Two swing states are investigating Elon Musk’s new political action committee (PAC), the America PAC, for potentially defrauding voters. 

Recommended Video

Officials from North Carolina and Michigan—two battleground states in the upcoming presidential election—have said they are looking into America PAC after a CNBC report showed the PAC collected data from people in swing states under the guise of registering them to vote but never actually registered them.

Before CNBC’s reporting, America PAC’s website had a large button on its homepage that read “Register to Vote.” If a hopeful voter clicked that button, the site then prompted them to enter their email address and ZIP code. If they entered a ZIP code from a state considered noncompetitive, such as California or Tennessee, it would direct them to that state’s official voter registration page. 

But if a user entered a ZIP code from a battleground state, they would then be prompted to answer a page full of detailed personal questions, such as the exact address of their home, phone number, and age. After completing the questionnaire, the user would receive a “Thank You!” page, never having been led to register, despite handing over valuable personal information.

The Register to Vote button, at the time of writing, is gone from the America PAC website. 

The North Carolina Board of Elections told CNBC on Monday it has opened an investigation of Musk’s America PAC after it received a complaint.

“North Carolina law makes it a crime for someone to fail to submit a voter’s registration form if that person has told a voter that they would be submitting the voter’s registration form,” the board’s spokesman, Patrick Gannon, told CNBC.

It is unclear if Musk’s PAC was making that exact claim, that it would submit a voter’s registration form, by collecting the data or by having a button called “register to vote.” 

Brett Swearingin, an attorney at Michigan firm Miller Johnson, said that after reviewing North Carolina’s statute on this issue, he didn’t believe the website violated the law, because it didn’t claim to register voters with the  official registration form.  

“When you’re dealing with the law, there are things that sound dubious or shady, and then there’s when something actually violates a law,” Swearingin said. “And the way that this statute is written, it seems very clear that they’re only dealing with the particular form that has been promulgated by the state board of elections.” 

He added he has a lot of respect for Michigan’s secretary of state office, so if there is a legal issue, “I have no doubt they’ll figure it out.” But in his preliminary review, he didn’t see anything. 

Mary Massaroon, a partner at law firm Plunkett Cooney’s election practice, said the site was troubling, but declined to say whether America PAC had committed a crime. 

“I would be concerned about any website or social media communication that suggests the viewers will be given information about how to register to vote if they provide personal information, but then fails to provide any information about how to register to vote,” Massaroon wrote in an email to Fortune. “I think it is appropriate for the Michigan Secretary of State to look into the question.”

The links on America PAC’s website were working initially, but then stopped working, a source familiar with the matter told Fortune. They didn’t believe the PAC had done anything illegal, and the organization will soon release a new website, the source added. 

America PAC has given $798,500 to Raconteur Media, a digital marketing agency, for “texting services” and “printing,” according to federal filings. The agency did not answer multiple requests for comment. 

The states’ probing is the latest trouble for America PAC. In late July, the super PAC abruptly ended its relationship with In Field Strategies, to which it had given $15 million to conduct canvassing operations across the nation. It is still unclear what will happen to the money. 

Canvassers and project managers were suddenly left without jobs, in far-flung places throughout the U.S., a former project manager at In Field told Fortune. 

“One minute I was waiting to receive literature, and the next minute I received a phone call telling me the project was pulled,” the project manager said. They added that since the shakeup happened during the CrowdStrike outage, many people struggled to find flights home. 

“It was several days of chaos, to be putting it lightly,” they said. “Overall, it…threw a wrench into our operations, again, that’s just an understatement. “ 

It is unclear why In Field was pulled from the project. However, the former project manager said it would be part of many shakeups happening in the future of the PAC. 

Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s senior aides, praised the move on X. 

“New Program 100% better than the old gang,” LaCivita said. “Solidly support this effort!”

Subscribe to Fortune Gulf Brief. Every Tuesday, this new newsletter delivers clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it. Sign up here.
About the Author
By Eva RoytburgFellow, News
Instagram iconLinkedIn icon

Eva covers macroeconomics, market-moving news, and the forces shaping the global economy.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
By The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
Commentaryarms, weapons, and defense
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
By Chris OberoiJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago
Wind turbines on yellow grass
Environmentwind power
California threatens to hit Trump with lawsuit if he doesn’t revive massive wind farm project off central coast
By Jennifer McDermott and The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago
Why Zohran Mamdani’s big night as the Democratic party’s new kingmaker matters for every Fortune 500 CEO in every city and state
PoliticsPolitics
Why Zohran Mamdani’s big night as the Democratic party’s new kingmaker matters for every Fortune 500 CEO in every city and state
By Catherina GioinoJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago
Warren leans in to talk to Scott
PoliticsHousing
Congress’s landmark housing bill could backfire on millions of renters
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
14 hours ago
President Donald Trump pictured in September 2025 signing an executive order that overhauled the H-1B visa program.
EconomyImmigration
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
16 hours ago

Most Popular

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Retail
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
19 hours ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
2 days ago
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
Asia
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
21 hours ago
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
Economy
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.