Last month, Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced a fundraising campaign for the victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.
Their initiative, the People’s Fund of Maui, aimed to financially support those directly impacted. Both celebrities made a joint initial donation of $10 million and asked the public to contribute.
However, the campaign drew massive criticism, primarily because the duo appealed to regular people for donations despite their substantial personal wealth. Forbes has estimated Winfrey’s net worth at $2.5 billion and Johnson’s at $270 million. This means their contribution is less than 0.5% of their combined wealth.
On September 13, 2023, a visibly shocked Winfrey responded to the onslaught of online criticism she received, especially regarding her donation to the fire relief efforts. Part of the backlash grew from a viral TikTok video insinuating her involvement in the Maui fires, a claim she categorically denied. No credible sources have backed this accusation.
In August, Maui witnessed severe wildfires, leading to the death of at least 115 people, with thousands of structures damaged or destroyed. As per the County of Maui’s statement on September 12, the fire in the Lahaina area has been entirely contained, while the fires in Olinda and Kula have reached containment levels of 90% and 95% respectively.
It wasn’t just Oprah who found herself under the microscope. Stevie Nicks, former lead singer of Fleetwood Mac, also encountered backlash concerning the Maui fires. The exact reasons for the criticism against various celebrities remain varied, but many seem to stem from their public actions or statements about the fires.
Regardless of the criticism, Oprah’s efforts to support the Maui community during such a tragic time are evident. Her surprise at the backlash suggests her motives were genuinely altruistic. As a global figure, Oprah remains dedicated to numerous charitable causes, with the Maui fire relief effort being a prime example.
In times of crisis, public figures often find themselves under intense scrutiny. Still, the primary focus should always be on assisting affected communities and ensuring their recovery.
