Current:Home > ScamsDwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to Maui wildfire fund backlash: 'I could've been better'-LoTradeCoin
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to Maui wildfire fund backlash: 'I could've been better'
View Date:2024-12-23 19:56:25
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has pledged to "grow and do better" after receiving backlash following the launch of his joint fundraiser for Maui with Oprah Winfrey.
Johnson and Winfrey launched the People's Fund of Maui in August in response to the devastating wildfires. The actor and former talk show host each donated $5 million to kick off the campaign and asked their fans to also contribute.
"When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash," Johnson said in a video shared to his Instagram on Sunday. "I get it and I completely understand, and I could’ve been better. And next time I will be better."
The "Moana" actor acknowledged that he knows "money ain’t falling out of the sky, and it’s not growing on trees, and there’s a lot of people out there who’s living paycheck to paycheck. And I get it, and I know what that’s like."
Many people criticized Johnson and Winfrey for not contributing more from their own pockets and asking their fans to donate.
"When you're living paycheck to paycheck, you are easily pissed off. It's frustrating," Johnson continued in his video on Instagram. "And the last thing you want to hear when you're living paycheck to paycheck is someone asking you for money — especially when the person asking you for money already has a lot of money. I get it, I understand."
Johnson's net worth is estimated at $270 million and Winfrey's is estimated $2.5 billion, according to Forbes.
"I’ve never launched a fund before, but I’m a quick study and lesson learned," the "Red Notice" star added.
He also thanked his fans for their honesty in his caption, writing, "I’ll always appreciate and protect that straight talk between us - you have my word to always listen, learn, grow and do better."
Johnson and Winfrey's fund is intended to give adults displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula a monthly stipend of $1,200 to help them during recovery.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson 'heartbroken'over Maui wildfires: 'Resilience resolve is in our DNA'
In Johnson's latest post, he said the first round of applicants has started to receive the monthly stipend.
"I’m so grateful and moved by all the messages I’m receiving out of Maui from the survivors of the devastating wildfires who are now getting their personal funding from The People’s Fund of Maui," he wrote in the caption. "The strength of our people of Maui is beautiful and inspiring. Watching families and community come together after this tragedy is inspirational and I’m proud of our Polynesian people."
Johnson concluded: "Thank you to everyone who has helped by sending resources, love and prayers to all people affected by the fires and a loving mahalo and RESPECT to our OG cultural leaders, our local community organizations, and all our first responders and every person who came together to help our people."
'Moana' actress Auliʻi Cravalho 'numb'amid Maui wildfires, Jason Momoa shares resources
veryGood! (95)
Related
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Civic group launches $4M campaign to boost embattled San Francisco ahead of global trade summit
- Garcelle Beauvais teams with Kellogg Foundation for a $90M plan to expand ‘Pockets of Hope’ in Haiti
- Major US Muslim group cancels Virginia banquet over bomb and death threats
- Younghoo Koo takes blame for Falcons loss to Saints: 'This game is fully on me'
- Four Pepperdine University students killed in crash on California highway, driver arrested
- Intel bulletin says terror groups are calling on supporters to target U.S., Israeli interests amid Israel-Hamas conflict
- Horoscopes Today, October 18, 2023
- DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
- 'Organs of Little Importance' explores the curious ephemera that fill our minds
Ranking
- Everard Burke Introduce
- Why Gwyneth Paltrow Really Decided to Put Acting on the Back Burner
- Feds OK natural gas pipeline expansion in Pacific Northwest over environmentalist protests
- Trump ally Sidney Powell pleads guilty to conspiracy charges in Georgia 2020 election case
- Patricia Heaton criticizes media, 'extremists' she says 'fear-mongered' in 2024 election
- Texas releases another audit of elections in Harris County, where GOP still challenging losses
- Some UFO reports from military witnesses present potential flight concerns, government UAP report says
- ‘Drop in the ocean': UN-backed aid could soon enter Gaza from Egypt, but only at a trickle for now
Recommendation
-
Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
-
Colombian president’s statements on Gaza jeopardize close military ties with Israel
-
Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in type 2 diabetes risk
-
Ranking all 32 NFL teams' throwback and alternate uniforms as Eagles debut Kelly Green
-
Wall Street makes wagers on the likely winners and losers in a second Trump term
-
How The Golden Bachelor’s Joan Vassos Feels About “Reliving” Her Sudden Exit
-
Soccer Star Ali Krieger Enters Beyoncé Lemonade Era Amid Ashlyn Harris, Sophia Bush Romance
-
Michael Penix headlines the USA TODAY Sports midseason college football All-America team