<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oprah-winfrey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oprah Winfrey</a> addressed the intense backlash she faced for creating a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/charity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fund</a> which was meant to help the victims of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/maui" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maui</a> wildfire.
The billionaire TV personality appeared Tuesday on CBS Mornings to promote her new book, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.” The topic of conversation shifted to some of the criticism she and fellow Hawaiian property owner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have received for starting the People’s Fund of Maui, per <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12511983/Oprah-Winfrey-responds-criticism-Dwayne-Johnson-Maui-fires.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Mail</a>.
Winfrey and Johnson each contributed $5 million to kick off fundraising efforts and petitioned followers to donate as well. This led to a lot of negative comments from people who believed Oprah and Johnson should have given more because they are so wealthy.
Oprah connected the situation back to some concepts she explores in the book, saying, “Well, this is a really great point about being happier in the midst of an onslaught of being terrorized and vilified online. I will say this: I came out of this experience with so much more compassion for young kids, because I was thinking, what if I didn&#8217;t really know who I am? It will take you out.”
“So all of the online attacks, lies, conspiracy theories, really took the focus off of what was the most important thing, which is the people of Maui,” Oprah said. “So this idea came about because I was on the ground, talking to lots of people, trying to figure out how I can best help.”
She mentioned how she started out by donating “material things” such as generators and towels to the victims of the fire. But then the talk show host decided it would be better to give money to the victims directly. 
“Then I started talking to people and people really wanted their own agency,” she said. Oprah mentioned how she tried to mimic Dolly Parton’s method of providing aid to victims of the 2017 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, fires. Parton did a benefit concert and handed out the proceeds herself, The Daily Mail noted. 
“I thought, &#8216;Whoa! That’s the idea. Getting the money into the hands, directly into the hands of the people; set up the infrastructure for that,&#8217;” Oprah explained. “[Johnson and I] thought, because both of us have given to charities our whole lives, that starting the fund with $10 million would be a great idea. We&#8217;ll do what Dolly did, get other people to give money and then we&#8217;ll put it directly into people&#8217;s bank accounts,” she went on.
“I was so excited. I was so excited about it, and then I got up the next morning, and I saw all of this vitriol, and I was, like, ‘Whoa, what happened here?’”Oprah said. 
“This is what I want to say. I want to say that, in the beginning, so many people were calling, asking, ‘Where do we give our money to?’ So I thought, I&#8217;m going to give people a place to give it,” she went on.
Oprah also mentioned how the fund is a success despite that backlash and that 2,200 people will be getting money from the fund deposited into their accounts. 
She said it’s “sad that we&#8217;re in this state in our country,” referring to the online criticism.

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Oprah Responds To ‘Vitriol’ Over Maui Wildfire Fundraising Campaign: ‘Whoa, What Happened Here?’

CONTINUE READING

AI Company Will Clean Your Home For Free, But There’s A Catch

Spencer Pratt Gives Blunt Take On Celebrity Endorsements

The Tiny Theme Park That Just Beat Disney At Its Own Game

Oscar-Winning Actress Branded ‘Evil Zionist B*tch’ By Raving Man On The Street

Stan Lee’s AI Clone Is Now Available For Hire

Jimmy Kimmel Chokes Up During Adam Carolla’s Big Hollywood Moment

Entertainment

Celebrities

Charity

Maui

Oprah Winfrey

U.S.

Wildfires

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Entertainment —

Oprah Responds To ‘Vitriol’ Over Maui Wildfire Fundraising Campaign: ‘Whoa, What Happened Here?’