Paco Dennis
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No wonder we can't fix our problems. The wealthy seem to be concerned about their wealth, not truly helping others IN DESPERATE TIMES!.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Oprah Winfrey launched a relief fund to help aid local residents who were affected by wildfires that ravaged large sections of Maui, Hawaii, but viewers hit back and asked why the celebrity duo couldn't donate more of their own millions, instead of appealing to people with less money.
In August, deadly wildfires swept through the island, damaging or destroying thousands of structures, leading to the deaths of 115 people, with dozens more still unaccounted for, CNN reported.
As of September 3, the fire in Lahaina had been contained, while the fires in Olinda and Kula were 90% and 95% contained respectively, according to a statement published by the County of Maui.
On August 31, the pair posted a video to their millions of followers on Instagram in which Winfrey could be seen standing beside Johnson as they introduced the "People's Fund of Maui," which they said aimed to help raise money for local residents affected by the tragedy.
In the video, she said the pair had been inspired by Dolly Parton's philanthropy and believed people were skeptical about how to help Maui residents, so they created a fund where people could donate, and the money would go directly to the people who needed it.
A lengthy caption alongside the post stated that every adult resident who was "displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula" would be "eligible to receive $1200 per month to help them through this period of recovery" and provided a link where those directly impacted could apply for the funds.
"We are honored to start this campaign with $10 million dollars and ask for your help in donating to those who have lost their homes. We thank you in advance for your contribution," the caption went on to read.
The upload received more than 60,000 comments, many of which appeared opposed to the idea of wealthy celebrities appealing to regular working people to provide additional funds.
"Math ain't mathing with this one. You guy's literally have so much money…. You can donate it and make it back within a year," one top comment with over 10,000 likes read.
Neither Winfrey nor Johnson appears to have addressed the controversy, and neither immediately responded to a request for comment from Insider.
5 minute read
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Oprah Winfrey face backlash for asking fans to donate to Maui fund instead of contributing more themselves
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Oprah Winfrey launched a relief fund to help aid local residents who were affected by wildfires that ravaged large sections of Maui, Hawaii, but viewers hit back and asked why the celebrity duo couldn't donate more of their own millions, instead of appealing to people with less money.
In August, deadly wildfires swept through the island, damaging or destroying thousands of structures, leading to the deaths of 115 people, with dozens more still unaccounted for, CNN reported.
As of September 3, the fire in Lahaina had been contained, while the fires in Olinda and Kula were 90% and 95% contained respectively, according to a statement published by the County of Maui.
On August 31, the pair posted a video to their millions of followers on Instagram in which Winfrey could be seen standing beside Johnson as they introduced the "People's Fund of Maui," which they said aimed to help raise money for local residents affected by the tragedy.
In the video, she said the pair had been inspired by Dolly Parton's philanthropy and believed people were skeptical about how to help Maui residents, so they created a fund where people could donate, and the money would go directly to the people who needed it.
A lengthy caption alongside the post stated that every adult resident who was "displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula" would be "eligible to receive $1200 per month to help them through this period of recovery" and provided a link where those directly impacted could apply for the funds.
"We are honored to start this campaign with $10 million dollars and ask for your help in donating to those who have lost their homes. We thank you in advance for your contribution," the caption went on to read.
The upload received more than 60,000 comments, many of which appeared opposed to the idea of wealthy celebrities appealing to regular working people to provide additional funds.
"Math ain't mathing with this one. You guy's literally have so much money…. You can donate it and make it back within a year," one top comment with over 10,000 likes read.
Neither Winfrey nor Johnson appears to have addressed the controversy, and neither immediately responded to a request for comment from Insider.
5 minute read
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Oprah Winfrey face backlash for asking fans to donate to Maui fund instead of contributing more themselves
