America PAC Canvassers Report Poor Conditions and Misleading Recruitment in Musk-Backed Trump Campaign

Canvassers working for America PAC, a pro-Trump organization heavily funded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, report being subjected to poor working conditions and misrepresentation about the nature of their jobs, according to an investigation by WIRED. The PAC, which Musk has supported with a substantial $75 million, is actively managing much of former President Donald Trump’s voter outreach operation across key battleground states.

In Michigan, canvassers hired by a firm associated with America PAC describe difficult and, at times, unsafe working conditions. WIRED reports that some canvassers were transported in a seatless U-Haul van and threatened with losing access to lodging at a local motel if they didn’t meet high canvassing quotas. Additionally, the report noted that “one door knocker alleges that they didn’t even know they were signing up for anything having to do with Musk or Trump.”

Recruits were reportedly informed only after signing contracts, which included nondisclosure agreements, that they would be canvassing on behalf of a Musk-backed GOP effort for Trump. Blitz Canvassing, the subcontractor handling America PAC’s outreach operations, is reported to enforce stringent quotas, requiring door knockers to maintain a 17-22% engagement rate — an unusually high figure for canvassers.

Audio recordings of Blitz managers reveal threats that employees who failed to knock on at least 1,000 doors per week could be financially penalized, including being charged for their lodging or airfare home. In one recording, a manager is heard saying, “What’s gonna happen is, they’re gonna stop paying for these rooms. And then you’re gonna end up having to pay for it yourself. You can’t do that with no money.”

The challenges facing America PAC don’t stop with working conditions. Blitz Canvassing has faced technical issues, including glitchy software that mistakenly directed canvassers to the homes of Kamala Harris supporters. Some canvassers resorted to GPS spoofing to inflate their door-knocking numbers, which may have led to 20-25% of voter contacts being falsified in states like Arizona and Nevada. Blitz Canvassing has responded to negative reports by cautioning employees not to communicate with the media.

America PAC also faces growing legal scrutiny. In August, the Michigan Secretary of State launched an investigation into an alleged scheme in which the group collected voters’ personal data through an inaccurate voter registration portal. More recently, the Justice Department and Philadelphia district attorney’s office issued warnings to America PAC, which faces a lawsuit over a “$1 million daily lottery” aimed at voters who sign Musk’s petition “supporting the Constitution.”

Critics argue this initiative could be construed as illegal vote-buying. This series of revelations has raised questions about Musk’s involvement in and financing of the PAC’s operations. Since acquiring social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk has made notable shifts toward far-right causes, a move that has included substantial financial support for America PAC’s campaign activities.

While the PAC’s unconventional tactics may appeal to some supporters, they have fueled controversy and intensified scrutiny from government agencies and the media alike. As Election Day approaches, these issues cast a spotlight on the lengths some PACs and political entities may go to in an effort to influence voter behavior.

For America PAC, the mounting allegations could lead to further investigation, posing potential consequences for both the organization and the campaigns it supports. With Musk’s high-profile backing, America PAC’s activities may serve as a case study in the intersection of wealth, politics, and campaign ethics in modern American elections.