Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About Backlash Over Maui Wildfire Fund with Oprah
3 min read
Photo by Pablo Cuadra/WireImage
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is apologising for the reaction he received last month after he and Oprah Winfrey requested the public to donate to a Maui wildfire rebuilding fund. “When we initially announced the fund, there was some backlash,” Johnson said in an Instagram video broadcast on Sunday, adding, “I get it, I completely understand, and I could’ve been better.” And I’ll be better the next time.” Johnson continued, “Money ain’t falling out of the sky, it’s not sprouting on trees, and there’s a lot of individuals out there who are living paycheck to paycheck.” And I know because I’ve been there.” “The very last thing that you would like to hear when you are living from paycheck to paycheck is people requesting you for money, especially when that person who is inquiring you for money has already got a lot of money,” he said.
Johnson and Winfrey first introduced the People’s Fund of Maui in an Instagram video in August, stating they each committed $5 million to get the campaign started. When they announced the fund, Winfrey and Johnson stated that families who lost their principal residences in the Lahaina and Kula fires would be eligible for $1200 each month from the fund. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson stated in his video on Sunday that “thousands and thousands of survivors” have begun to receive the first batch of assistance. According to CNN, over 100 people died when fast-moving wildfires ripped over the Hawaiian island of Maui. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the wildfires in the United States are the worst in more than a century.
Dwayne Johnson Just Addressed The Backlash To His And Oprah's Maui Wildfire Fund https://t.co/AC7j1JeKF9
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) October 8, 2023
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Responds To Criticism Of The Maui Fund
Dwayne Johnson lately addressed the backlash he and Oprah Winfrey received for requesting donations to a Maui Wildfire recovery fund. Dwayne and Oprah were chastised by their fans in August for soliciting donations from ordinary people. Johnson said in a video broadcast on his Instagram page yesterday, “When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash,” adding, “I get it, I completely understand, and I could’ve been better.” And I’ll be better the next time.” He also acknowledged that not everyone has disposable wealth, emphasising that “money doesn’t fall out of the sky, it doesn’t grow on trees, and there’s a lot of people out there who are living paycheck to paycheck.” And I understand because I’ve been there.” In response to the payday comments, The Rock said, “The last thing you want to hear when you’re living paycheck to paycheck is a person asking you for money, particularly when the individual who’s asking for money already has a lot of money.” In August, Johnson & Winfrey launched the establishment of the People’s Fund of Maui.
They kicked off the campaign by each donating $5 million. The initial public reaction included criticism that celebrities with significant wealth were soliciting donations. Johnson accepted the criticism and recognised that he could have handled the matter more effectively. “I get it, I understand,” he said, emphasising his dedication. I’ve never started a fund before, but I’m a quick study, and I’ve learnt my lesson.” While Oprah has yet to respond, Johnson expressed gratitude in his video for the openness given by social media, which allowed him to hear rapid criticism and change his strategy accordingly. He also mentioned that the initial batch of cash had gone to “thousands and thousands of survivors.” The Maui flames were disastrous, resulting in over 100 deaths and being recognised as the deadliest wildfires in the United States in over a century. The recovery operations necessitated significant money, and the fund established by Johnson & Winfrey intended to provide genuine assistance to individuals affected. The major goal of the fund was to provide financial help to people who had lost their houses in the disastrous Lahaina and Kula fires.
