Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro is challenging Democratic House candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a debate — and offered to pump $10,000 into her campaign to make it happen.
But is he willing to go to jail for the face-off?
Shapiro's contribution offer came during a segment of "The Ben Shapiro Show" on Wednesday, when he needled Democratic National Committee head Tom Perez’s description of the political neophyte as "the future" of the party.
"You've noted that you think Republicans are afraid to debate you or talk to you or discuss the issues with you," Shapiro said in his pitch. "Not only am I eager to discuss the issues with you, I'm willing to offer $10,000 to your campaign today for you to one on our Sunday special."
According to website Law&Crime, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act – commonly passed in 2002 – caps individual campaign contribution limits, and Shapiro's would exceed thd 2017-18 election cycle max of $2,700.
If he followed through on the donation, it would put him at risk of a misdemeanor violation of Federal Election Campaign Act laws, which at the maximum would cost him a year in prison, the legal news site added.
But in reality, Law&Crime reported, the Department of Justice, which prosecutes campaign finance violations, would more likely order a hefty fine, or refund.
As of Thursday afternoon, Ocasio-Cortez had not responded to the offer on Twitter.
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