HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - Billionaire Elon Musk promised on Oct 19 to give away US$1 million (S$1.3 million) each day until November's election to someone who signs his online petition supporting the US Constitution.

And he wasted no time, awarding a US$1 million cheque to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Republican Donald Trump. The winner was a man named John Dreher, according to event staff.

"By the way, John had no idea. So anyway, you're welcome," the Tesla founder said as he handed Dreher the cheque.

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 Kamala Harris.

Musk started America PAC, a political action organisation he founded in support of Trump's presidential campaign. The group is helping mobilise and register voters in battleground states, but there are signs it is having trouble meeting its goals.

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