Dwayne Johnson has acknowledged the public backlash that he and Oprah Winfrey faced when they requested donations for a Maui wildfire recovery fund last month, according to CNN.

In a video shared on his Instagram account, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson acknowledged the initial criticism, stating, "When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash. I get it, and I completely understand, and I could've handled it better. And next time, I will do better."

He further expressed his understanding of many's financial challenges, recognizing that money is not readily available and that many individuals live paycheck to paycheck.

The Rock empathized with the difficulty of hearing a request for money, particularly when the person making the request already possesses substantial wealth.

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Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey's People's Fund of Maui

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson jointly established the People's Fund of Maui in August, each contributing $5 million from their finances per Vanity Fair.

They made a public appeal for additional donations, expressing their concern for the residents of the fire-ravaged island.

Winfrey emphasized their gratitude for the support and outlined the initiative, stating, "All these people who were calling me and texting me and messaging me and saying, 'What do I do? What do I do?' This is what you do."

The response, however, took them by surprise. Social media users swiftly criticized the wealthy celebrities for seeking donations, given their substantial financial resources.

Oprah Winfrey, whose estimated net worth is $2.5 billion, was taken aback by the immediate backlash.

In a subsequent interview with CBS, Winfrey explained that she and The Rock, a long-time philanthropist, believed initiating the fund with $10 million would be a positive step.

Their goal was to inspire others to contribute and directly assist those affected.

Winfrey referred to the successful model of Dolly Parton's donor-backed My People Fund, which aided those who suffered losses in the 2017 Gatlinburg, Tennessee fires.

However, the vitriolic reactions on social media took them by surprise. Oprah Winfrey mentioned that many people were seeking information on where to make contributions, prompting her to establish a donation platform. Yet, the unexpected backlash and criticism emerged soon after.

Dwayne Johnson had initially remained silent regarding the backlash but later addressed the issue in a video update.

In the video, apparently recorded by Johnson at a poolside, the former wrestler and action star, with an estimated net worth of $800 million, provided an update on the fund's progress.

He announced that the survivors and affected families had started receiving their first round of funds over the past few weeks.

The People's Fund of Maui aimed to provide much-needed financial assistance to those impacted by the devastating wildfires on the island.

Maui Wildfire Recovery Fund

The wildfires had significant consequences, with over 100 casualties, making them the deadliest in the United States in over a century, PINKVILLA noted.

The fund created by Johnson and Winfrey sought to provide meaningful support to the affected individuals, offering financial assistance to help them recover from the losses they endured.

Meanwhile, eligible recipients were set to receive $1,200 per month from this fund.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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