Bill O'Reilly: Musk-Trump relationship is a 'business deal'
(NewsNation) — Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly says tech mogul Elon Musk's support of former President Trump is likely a business arrangement centered on electric vehicle infrastructure, describing their relationship as "the art of the deal."
"The Musk-Trump relationship is a business deal," O'Reilly said Monday on NewsNation's "On Balance."
"In return, there's nothing really defined, but I can tell you what Musk needs," he continued. "He needs EV charging stations."
O'Reilly speculated that Musk could benefit from government cooperation in placing charging stations if Trump wins the presidency, calling it "the likely quid pro quo."
The comments came after Musk promised Saturday to give away $1 million each day until November’s election to someone who signs his online petition, with the first prize awarded at a political action committee event supporting Trump, raising questions about the legality of the payments.
Musk gave a $1 million check to an attendee of his America PAC event in Harrisburg, Pa., aimed at rallying supporters behind Trump.
The money is the latest example of Musk using his extraordinary wealth to influence the tightly contested presidential race between Trump and his Democratic rival, Vice President Harris.
Musk started America PAC, a political action organization he founded in support of Trump’s presidential campaign. The group is helping mobilize and register voters in battleground states, but there are signs it is having trouble meeting its goals.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that Musk’s plan to give money to registered voters in Pennsylvania is “deeply concerning” and “it’s something that law enforcement could take a look at.”
Questions about the legality of these cash payments abounded on Saturday night as election law experts pointed to various provisions in federal law that prohibited making cash payments to voters.
It is a federal crime to pay people with the intention of inducing or rewarding them to cast a vote or to get registered, an offense punishable by prison time. The prohibition covers not only monetary expenditures but also anything of monetary value like liquor or lottery chances, according to a Justice Department election crimes manual.
O'Reilly defended the legality of Musk's raffle system while acknowledging concerns about money in politics.
"What Musk did was very clever. He didn't break any laws, as far as my legal experts can tell, because he's holding a raffle as an incentive to sign his petition," he said. "That's legal."
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.
Date: |
Topics
-
Politics - The Hill
Harris' Fox interview a bigger risk for Bret Baier: Bill O'Reilly
6 days ago -
Entertainment - Los Angeles Times
'Love is Blind' finally gets political. Is supporting Trump a relationship dealbreaker?
3 days ago - Donald Trump -
Sports - Yahoo Sports
Amari Cooper traded to Bills in huge midseason deal with Browns
6 days ago - NFL -
Top stories - NBC News
Buffalo Bills trade for WR Amari Cooper in deal with Cleveland Browns
6 days ago - NFL -
World - The Guardian
Rachel Reeves gives closing speech at UK investment summit – business live
October 14 - United Kingdom -
Sports - CBS Sports
Titans' Mason Rudolph expected to start vs. Bills as Will Levis reportedly deals with grade 2 AC sprain
2 days ago - NFL -
Business - Financial Times
EU weighs including Musk’s business empire to calculate potential X fine
4 days ago - European Union
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Harris holds 3-point national lead over Trump: Survey
27 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Return-to-office mandates are causing more federal workers to unionize
36 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Biden administration puts $400M into manufacturing projects in coal communities
36 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - The Hill
Harris, Trump favorability ratings among lowest for nominees since 1956: Gallup
38 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
The next administration can reframe asylum rules to address the immigration crisis
1 hour ago
Latest in Politics
-
Politics - The Hill
Harris holds 3-point national lead over Trump: Survey
27 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Return-to-office mandates are causing more federal workers to unionize
36 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Biden administration puts $400M into manufacturing projects in coal communities
36 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - The Hill
Harris, Trump favorability ratings among lowest for nominees since 1956: Gallup
38 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
The next administration can reframe asylum rules to address the immigration crisis
1 hour ago