Trump-authorized GoFundMe seeks to give relief to Hurricane Helene victims

By

Asher Notheis

October 1, 2024 6:15 pm

A GoFundMe fundraiser authorized by former President Donald Trump aims to provide financial relief to victims caught in Hurricane Helene’s path and has already far outpaced its initial goal.

Numerous states, most notably North Carolina and Georgia, have been greatly affected by the hurricane, which has killed more than 150 people across six states while causing massive flooding and property damage. In the wake of this hurricane, Trump launched the fundraiser so his supporters can donate to the victims, according to the fundraiser’s page.

“With so many across the Southeastern U.S. facing challenges after the storm, President Trump is on the ground in communities to see the aftermath firsthand,” the fundraiser reads. “All donations will be directed to help those most affected by Hurricane Helene.”

The fundraiser’s initial goal was listed as $1 million, which was surpassed with over $3.3 million raised as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the fundraiser’s top donors include Witkoff Group founder Steve Witkoff and former Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, who have each donated $500,000.

The organizer of the fundraiser is Meredith O’Rourke, who previously organized the Trump-authorized fundraiser for victims of the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The fundraiser raised $6.6 million for the family of Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting, along with two other victims who were injured.

Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday, with Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating he did so to “personally offer” his help to the hurricane victims. President Joe Biden is set to survey the damage in North Carolina through a flyover on Wednesday and will visit Georgia and Florida “as soon as possible.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3173255/trump-gofundme-relief-hurricane-helene-victims/