Oprah and Dwayne Johnson respond to Maui fundraiser criticism.
Media Mogul Oprah Winfrey “Sad” Over Response to Fundraiser with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey expressed her disappointment with the response she received regarding a fundraiser she initiated alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The purpose of the fundraiser was to aid the victims of the devastating Maui wildfires in Hawaii. Winfrey and Johnson generously donated $10 million to kickstart the initiative. However, their efforts were met with criticism online, as some argued that both celebrities were already wealthy and that Winfrey’s personal property on the island remained untouched by the fires.
Winfrey’s Initial Excitement and Subsequent Shock
“I was so excited,” Winfrey shared. “I was so excited about it, and then I got up the next morning, and I saw all of this vitriol, and I was, like, ‘Whoa, what happened here?'”
Winfrey drew inspiration from musician Dolly Parton’s 2017 fundraiser for the victims of the Gatlinburg, Tennessee wildfires. Parton had personally donated ,000 to each victim. Winfrey aimed to follow a similar approach by providing direct financial assistance to those affected. She collaborated with Johnson to organize the fundraiser, believing that starting with $10 million was a fantastic idea.
The ”People’s Fund of Maui” and Eligibility
The duo announced their joint effort on social media on August 31, naming it the “People’s Fund of Maui.” The fundraiser operates under the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a Charity Navigator 4-star charity.
The fund is open to both renters and homeowners who lost their residences, as long as they are above the age of 18.
Criticism of FEMA’s Aid and Tulsi Gabbard’s Response
Winfrey and Johnson’s fundraiser came after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pledged to provide $700 to each affected household. FEMA’s aid amount has faced significant backlash, including criticism from local residents and disaster victims.
Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) also voiced her disapproval of FEMA’s response. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Gabbard highlighted Hawaii’s high cost of living and deemed the $700 assistance as “fricking insulting.”
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