The GoFundMe Chronicles: Trump’s Hurricane Helene Fundraiser and its Aftermath

This article is a part of The Disaster Economy, a Grist series delving into the often tumultuous yet profitable realm of disaster response and recovery, made possible with the support of the CO2 Foundation. Additionally, this coverage benefits from a partnership between Grist and BPR, a public radio station catering to western North Carolina.

On a dusty, warm day in October 2024, about a month after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the southeastern U.S., then-presidential candidate Donald Trump stood before a crowd in Swannanoa, North Carolina. He pledged funding and support for hurricane survivors. “In the wake of this horrible storm, many Americans in this region felt helpless and abandoned by their government,” Trump declared, emphasizing the generosity of the American people over governmental aid.

During his visit, Trump provided an update on a GoFundMe campaign initiated by his presidential campaign specifically to assist those affected by Helene. This fundraiser had swiftly gathered an impressive $7.7 million from a mix of ordinary citizens, prominent Republican figures, and wealthy families across the nation.

A supporter’s message on the fundraiser’s public page encapsulated the communal spirit during this disaster: “My prayers and encouragement go out to all the victims. I hope you know that we all love you.”

The Mechanisms of Fundraising in Crisis

The GoFundMe campaign drew attention not only for its substantial financial outcome but also for its unique operation as a campaign fundraising tool. Crowdfunding platforms have emerged as crucial conduits for immediate relief after disasters, with GoFundMe reportedly collecting over $130 million following Hurricane Helene alone. Nevertheless, critics have voiced concerns regarding the platform’s financial transparency, as it is not bound to any public records obligations.

The GoFundMe campaign specifically allocated donations to several organizations: Mtn2Sea Ministries, Water Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, Clinch Foundation, and later Sweetwater Mission. A notable observation is that four of the five beneficiaries are faith-based Christian charities with close ties to Trump and his supporters.

Reports indicate that while Mtn2Sea Ministries effectively communicated its use of funds, providing $25,000 in gift cards for rural communities, other organizations remained reticent, leaving many questions about the allocation of the remaining funds.

Unraveling the Aftermath: Where Did the Money Go?

With one year gone since Hurricane Helene, questions linger around the exact utilization of donations from Trump’s GoFundMe campaign. Grist reached out to the recipient organizations for detailed breakdowns, but only Mtn2Sea Ministries provided clarity while others offered vague responses.

Samaritan’s Purse, the campaign’s highest recipient with $5.2 million, noted that their share contributed to a larger pot aimed at aiding hurricane survivors but did not elaborate on specifics. Water Mission, while active in providing resources post-Hurricane Helene, did not disclose its share. Meanwhile, Sweetwater Mission and the Clinch Foundation did not respond to inquiries.

This ambiguity harks back to a wider concern about the rapid rise of crowdfunding amidst natural disasters—a trend that prioritizes immediate response at the potential expense of transparency and equitable aid.

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Relief

Trump has used Helene’s impact to advocate for an overhaul of American disaster relief, suggesting a shift away from federal responses toward heightened involvement of private entities and crowdfunding efforts. This shift, experts warn, may complicate the landscape of disaster recovery, potentially favoring a select group of organizations with established connections over equitable distribution of aid.

The predominant players in this funding narrative—like Samaritan’s Purse and Water Mission—boast interwoven relationships with political and corporate actors aligned with the right. This intertwining of evangelical organizations with political action raises concern about how aid is distributed to those affected by disasters.

“The goal is to assuage suffering to save individuals, not fix systems,” says historian Darren Grem, reflecting on the motivations driving these faith-based responses.

The consequences of prioritizing immediate relief without the necessary oversight might inadvertently lead to a situation where specific communities are overlooked, especially marginalized groups such as renters and undocumented migrants, who have historically faced barriers in accessing aid.

In Closing: A Call for Transparency

Looking ahead, while crowdfunding offers the blessing of rapid fundraising, it necessitates a balanced approach to safeguard accountability and equitable aid distribution. Trump’s GoFundMe venture illustrates a broader shift toward privatization in disaster response, raising crucial questions about who benefits from such funds.

Grist’s analysis highlights both the effectiveness and the risks associated with this funding model as recovery efforts continue to evolve. As communities rebuild, fostering relationships based on transparency and inclusivity becomes imperative to ensure that all who suffer are supported, free of the biases that can come from the underlying ideologies of those providing assistance.

As we reflect on the past year since Hurricane Helene, one can only hope for better practices in disaster aid handling in the future.

For more information on tracking disaster spending in your community, check this resource.