1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Investigate and prosecute the use of false public promises to manipulate voters and public opinion. Elon Musk posted at 4am on X that he would give a SpaceX share to every child in America, a pledge with no legal weight, no binding terms, and no accountability. Donald Trump's "Trump Dividend" promises every American adult a $5,000 check that would cost taxpayers over $1 trillion, requires congressional approval, and may be illegal. These are not policy proposals. They are bait. When powerful individuals make sweeping financial promises timed to elections, with no mechanism for enforcement, that is manipulation. A 70% majority of American adults are already skeptical of the tech industry's intentions, and stunts like these only deepen the distrust. There must be legal consequences for deliberately misleading the public to gain political favor or shape legislation. Pass legislation that establishes clear standards for public promises made by individuals seeking to influence elections or federal policy, with real penalties for those who make them in bad faith. Voters are not a market to be captured with empty pledges.