comments Elon Musk is at risk of being held in contempt of court after he failed to appear for an emergency court hearing today over the $1million giveaway he has been running for registered voters in swing states. The Tesla and X boss was ordered to attend the hearing in Philadelphia to address the civil case filed by the city's DA, in which he alleged that Musk was running an illegal lottery and trying to influence the election less than a week before in-person voting starts. But Musk, the world's richest person, was not in the courtroom as the hearing got underway at 10am Thursday and could face a fine if Judge Angelo Foglietta holds him in contempt of court. According to published reports, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner asked the court for added security for the hearing, saying social media users posted an 'avalanche' of inflammatory posts, including antisemitic attacks toward him, and posted his home address. Musk, who is backing Republican nominee Donald Trump in the presidential election, is seeking to move the case to federal court, a delaying tactic that could allow him to continue his giveaway. In a filing, the billionaire said Krasner's lawsuit raises questions of free-speech rights and election interference that belong in federal court. Elon Musk (pictured, right, onstage in Philadelphia) promised to give away $1million every day until November 5 to registered voters in key swing states who signed his online free speech and gun rights petition SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million check during the town hall at the Roxain Theater on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Krasner, who championed progressive causes when running for district attorney, has accused Musk and his political action committee America PAC of hatching an 'illegal lottery scheme to influence voters.' Musk has been giving $1million checks to randomly selected people who sign a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights. The offer is limited to registered voters in one of seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the Nov. 5 election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Musk gave away the first $1million at an October 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital. Krasner's October 28 lawsuit says the giveaway should be stopped because it amounts to an illegal lottery that violates consumer protection laws by using deceptive language. Krasner said in a statement following the filing of the complaint last week: 'The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. 'The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections.' Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner waits for a hearing to begin at a City Hall courtroom on Thursday morning Krasner's office said Musk and America PAC have not published clear rules for the giveaway and has not said how they are protecting voters' personal information. He also said people who receive Musk's money are 'not actually chosen at random,' citing two winners who attended two pro-Trump rallies.