Former President Donald Trump’s campaign raises $14 million through GoFundMe for Hurricane Helene victims and alleged assassination attempt survivors, sparking debate over political fundraising methods.
At a Glance
- Trump’s campaign raised over $14 million via GoFundMe for Hurricane Helene victims and alleged assassination attempt survivors
- The Hurricane Helene fundraiser alone collected over $2 million from more than 14,000 donors
- High-profile contributors include former Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, Bill Ackman, and Dana White
- Funds for Hurricane Helene victims have been distributed to four nonprofits, including Samaritan’s Purse
- The campaign asserts this approach doesn’t violate campaign finance laws, as funds cannot be used for political purposes
Trump Campaign’s Unconventional Fundraising Approach
In an unprecedented move, former President Donald Trump’s campaign has leveraged the popular crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to raise over $14 million for victims of Hurricane Helene and a reported assassination attempt. This innovative approach to political fundraising has sparked discussions about the intersection of philanthropy and campaign strategy.
The fundraiser for Hurricane Helene victims alone has collected over $2 million from more than 14,000 donors. High-profile contributors include former Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who donated $500,000, as well as Bill Ackman and Dana White. Meredith O’Rourke, the campaign’s national finance director, organized the fundraiser, which has been confirmed as legitimate by Trump’s spokesperson.
Former President Donald Trump's campaign is using GoFundMe to rally its network of deep-pocketed backers and everyday donors around the survivors of his July assassination attempt and Hurricane Helene's destruction. https://t.co/gXdZNrrVAk
— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) October 14, 2024
Distribution of Funds and Legal Compliance
The Trump campaign asserts that this approach doesn’t violate campaign finance laws, as the funds cannot be used for political purposes. Most of the funds have already been disbursed, with those designated for Hurricane Helene victims being distributed to four nonprofits, including Samaritan’s Purse.
GoFundMe charges a transaction fee and has been working with the campaign to ensure safe distribution of funds. The campaign’s finance team is involved due to their expertise with large accounts, ensuring that funds go directly to those affected.
Reactions and Concerns
This unconventional method of fundraising aligns with Trump’s campaign’s skepticism of traditional institutions but raises questions about accountability and transparency. Some experts suggest that directing supporters to established nonprofits might be more advisable due to less regulation in crowdfunding.
The use of GoFundMe, typically employed for personal financial needs, is unusual for a political campaign. This approach has sparked debate about the role of crowdfunding in political fundraising and its potential implications for campaign finance regulations.
Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in southeastern states, including North Carolina and Florida, with over 100 deaths reported and millions left without power. The Biden administration is actively involved in Hurricane Helene relief efforts, with planned visits to affected areas and briefings at FEMA headquarters.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s claim about Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s inability to reach President Biden for relief efforts was contradicted by Kemp himself, who confirmed a conversation with Biden regarding the hurricane response.
Trump launches GoFundMe to help Hurricane Helene victims, raises more than $1M https://t.co/ng8pIliXDy
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 1, 2024
As the 2024 election campaign continues, this innovative fundraising approach by the Trump campaign has certainly captured attention and may influence future political fundraising strategies. However, it also underscores the need for clear guidelines and transparency in the evolving landscape of political donations and disaster relief efforts.
Sources:
- Trump’s Campaign Crowdfunded Millions Online in an Untraditional Approach to Emergency Relief
- Donald Trump’s GoFundMe for victims of Hurricane Helene raises more than $2 million
- Trump’s campaign crowdfunded millions online in an untraditional approach to emergency relief
