Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has turned to GoFundMe to raise money for survivors of an assassination attempt and Hurricane Helene’s destruction, raising over $14 million. This move, while legal, is unusual for a political campaign, as campaigns typically donate to IRS-approved nonprofits in times of crisis. The funds raised on GoFundMe are not allowed to be used for political ends and have mostly been disbursed.
The motivation behind the fundraising efforts, according to Trump campaign spokesperson Brian Hughes, is to allow supporters to directly support those impacted by the crises. Longtime Trump associates, conservative celebrities, and right-wing groups have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the campaigns. GoFundMe, which collects a transaction fee for each donation, has been working closely with the organizer to ensure the safe distribution of the funds.
While some experts believe it would have been more appropriate for the campaign to direct supporters to established nonprofits, there are no laws preventing them from using crowdfunding platforms. The majority of the funds raised have gone to the families of the shooting victims and organizations helping with Hurricane Helene recovery. Trump’s history with philanthropy and the lack of accountability in crowdfunding have raised concerns about the campaign’s approach to charitable giving.
Organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and Water Mission have confirmed receiving donations from the campaign, while Mtn2Sea Ministries posted on Facebook that they received $25,000 for hurricane relief efforts. The use of crowdfunding by the Trump campaign reflects a suspicion of traditional institutions and a desire for more direct charitable giving. However, the lack of disclosure requirements in crowdfunding pages and Trump’s past issues with charitable foundations have added complexity to the situation.
Overall, the Trump campaign’s use of GoFundMe for charitable giving has raised eyebrows but is not illegal. While the funds raised have helped survivors of the assassination attempt and Hurricane Helene, the lack of transparency and accountability in crowdfunding platforms could invite scrutiny. The campaign’s approach to philanthropy, combined with Trump’s history of charitable giving controversies, adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation.
