What's happened
The Trump campaign has raised over $1.7 million through a GoFundMe for Hurricane Helene victims, while also distributing funds to supporters affected by a recent attack. The campaign emphasizes that donations will not be used for presidential campaign purposes.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, confirmed that the majority of distributions from the GoFundMe account have occurred or are imminent. The campaign has raised over $1.7 million for Hurricane Helene victims, as reported by The Independent. However, the campaign's decision to compensate individuals like DeLullo, who suffered financial losses rather than physical harm, has drawn scrutiny. The Independent also noted that the campaign partnered with Samaritan's Purse to provide aid in affected areas, emphasizing the need for cash donations in disaster relief efforts.
How we got here
Following Hurricane Helene's devastation, the Trump campaign initiated a fundraiser to assist affected individuals. Concurrently, funds were distributed to supporters impacted by a violent incident at a rally, raising questions about the campaign's financial management.
More on these topics
-
GoFundMe is an American for-profit crowdfunding platform that allows people to raise money for events ranging from life events such as celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.