- In August, wildfires wreaked havoc on Maui, resulting in 115 fatalities.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey launched the “People’s Fund of Maui” on September 1.
- Some viewers raised concerns about why the wealthy celebrities were soliciting donations from ordinary individuals.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey launched a relief fund to assist local residents affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, Hawaii. However, some viewers questioned why these affluent celebrities couldn’t contribute more of their own wealth instead of relying on donations from those with fewer resources.
In August, a series of deadly wildfires engulfed the island, causing significant damage to thousands of structures and resulting in the tragic loss of 115 lives. CNN reported that many individuals still remain unaccounted for.
As of September 3, the fire in Lahaina has been contained, while the fires in Olinda and Kula are 90% and 95% contained, respectively, according to a statement released by the County of Maui.
On August 31, Johnson and Winfrey posted a video on Instagram, introducing the “People’s Fund of Maui.” Inspired by Dolly Parton’s philanthropy, they aimed to raise funds to directly support the affected residents of Maui.
The video explained that every adult resident displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula would be eligible to receive $1,200 per month to aid in their recovery. A link was provided for those directly impacted to apply for the funds.
The caption accompanying the post stated that they began the campaign with $10 million and expressed gratitude for any contributions made. However, the post received significant backlash from viewers who questioned why the celebrities didn’t contribute more themselves.
Similar criticism was expressed on TikTok, where the video was re-shared on Winfrey and Johnson’s accounts. Many viewers felt that the duo should dig deeper into their own pockets or seek support from their wealthy friends instead of appealing to financially struggling individuals.
Forbes reports that Winfrey has a net worth of $2.5 billion and owns multiple properties on the Hawaiian islands. Johnson, the highest-paid actor in the world, is worth $270 million.
In a follow-up video on September 2, Winfrey expressed gratitude to the 10,000 individuals who had personally donated and mentioned that thousands of affected people had signed up for assistance. She also assured that efforts were underway to verify the recipients and distribute the funds.
Neither Winfrey nor Johnson have addressed the controversy, and they have not responded to Insider’s request for comment.
For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider’s Digital Culture team here.
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