Nearly two weeks after Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launched their fund to support Maui wildfire victims, Oprah is responding to the backlash.
Both Winfrey, 69, and Johnson, 52, each committed $5 million to create the Maui People’s Fund. In a video, they explained that the funds would be distributed directly to those in need affected by the fires in the historic Lahaina area.
However, many were angered and annoyed that Winfrey – with a net worth of $2.8 billion – and Johnson – reportedly worth $800 million – were still soliciting donations from fans despite having the fund at $10 million -dollars have issued.
Winfrey appeared on CBS Mornings on Tuesday alongside co-author Arthur C. Brooks to promote her book Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.
During the wide-ranging interview, Winfrey was asked about the backlash against the fund, which surprised her.
Backlash: Nearly two weeks after Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launched their fund to support Maui wildfire victims, Oprah is responding to the backlash
Backlash: During the in-depth interview, Winfrey was asked about the backlash against the fund, which surprised her
Reflecting on one of the lessons of her new book, she added: “Well, that’s a really great point about being happier amid the tide of terrorization and vilification online.”
“I will say that. After that experience, I had a lot more compassion for little children because I thought: What if I didn’t really know who I was? It will get you out.
“All the online attacks, lies and conspiracy theories really took the focus away from what was most important, which was the people of Maui,” Oprah explained.
“So this idea came about because I was on the ground, talking to a lot of people and trying to figure out the best way to help,” she said, adding that in the beginning she was distributing “material things” and “dropping off generators.” and towels.’
“Then I started talking to people and people really wanted their own agency,” she said, adding that Gayle King’s son sent her an article about Dolly Parton organizing her support fund to help victims of the fires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 2017.
She added that Parton held a concert and raised $12.5 million for the people and distributed the funds to them himself, $1,000 a month
For this purpose, Dolly had organized a concert and all the proceeds were donated directly to the families who had lost a significant part of their homes and belongings. Many of them received $1,000 from Dolly herself.
“I was like, ‘Whoa! That’s the idea. Getting the money directly into people’s hands created the end structure for this,” she said.
New book: Reflecting on one of the lessons from her new book, she added: “Well, that’s a really great point about being happier amid the onslaught of terrorization and vilification online.”
Compassion: “This is what I’m going to say.” After that experience, I had a lot more compassion for little children because I thought, What if I didn’t really know who I was? It will get you out
Attacks: “All the online attacks, lies and conspiracy theories have really brought the focus to what matters most, which is the people of Maui,” Oprah explained
Idea: “I was like, “Whoa! That’s the idea. Getting the money directly into people’s hands created the end structure for this,” she said
“Since we’ve both given to charity our whole lives, we thought starting the fund with $10 million would be a great idea.” “We’re going to do what Dolly did, get other people involved “Donate money and then we’ll put it directly into people’s bank accounts,” Oprah explained.
‘I was so excited. “I was so excited about it, and when I got up the next morning, I saw all this nastiness and I thought, ‘Whoa, what happened here?'” Oprah explained.
“That’s what I want to say.” I want to say that in the beginning there were so many people calling and asking, “Where do we put our money?” “So I thought I’ll give people a place to put it can give,” explained Oprah.
“We’re going to do something and I still think it’s a really strong idea.” Dolly Parton was right. Putting money directly into people’s hands is an important thing and the model that has been created, I can say that to date 2,200 people have been cleared and verified and those people will receive notice from the People’s Fund of Maui and will have the money transferred to her account,” Oprah explained, adding that she was scathing: “sad that we are in this state in our country.”
The Maui wildfires, known collectively as the “Hawaii Firestorm,” began in early August, primarily on the island of Maui.
The fires were attributed to a combination of factors, including dry conditions triggered by a high-pressure system to the north and Hurricane Dora to the south.
The fires ravaged the historic district known as Lahaina and claimed 115 confirmed lives, with 66 people still missing as of Saturday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated that 2,200 structures were destroyed in Lahaina, including many residential buildings and many other fairly historic buildings.
Charities: “Since we’ve both given to charities our whole lives, we thought starting the fund with $10 million would be a great idea.” “We’re going to do what Dolly did, other people too “We’re going to donate money and then we’re going to put it directly into people’s bank accounts,” Oprah explained
Firestorm: The Maui wildfires, collectively known as the “Hawaii Firestorm,” began in early August, primarily on the island of Maui
Fires: The fires were attributed to a combination of factors, including dry conditions triggered by a high pressure system to the north and Hurricane Dora to the south
Casualties: The fires ravaged the historic area known as Lahaina and claimed 115 confirmed lives, with 66 people still missing as of Saturday
Destroyed: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated that 2,200 structures were destroyed in Lahaina, including many residential buildings and many other fairly historic structures
Damage: The U.S. Department of Commerce estimated damage caused by the fires at over $5.5 billion
Contained: An update from Maui County released Sunday showed the Lahaina fire is now 100% contained, with 2,170 acres burned
Additional updates: The update also revealed that the Olinda Fire was 90% contained and covered an estimated 1,081 acres
Kula: The Kula fire was also found to be 95% contained and covers an estimated area of 202 acres
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimated damage caused by the fires at over $5.5 billion.
An update from Maui County released Sunday showed the Lahaina Fire is now 100% contained and 2,170 acres have burned.
The update also showed that the Olinda fire was 90% contained and covered an estimated 1,081 acres.
The Kula fire was also found to be 95% contained and covers an estimated area of 202 acres.