NEW YORK — The campaign of former President Donald Trump has adopted a distinct approach to gather support for victims of his attempted assassination in July and the damages caused by Hurricane Helene, utilizing GoFundMe as a platform to engage both affluent benefactors and everyday contributors. This choice deviates from more conventional methods of emergency relief fundraising.
Organized by the national finance director for Trump’s campaign, the two prominent fundraising efforts have successfully amassed over $14 million. Legal analysts assert that these initiatives adhere to campaign finance regulations. However, the campaign cannot use these funds for its political activities, as clarified by a GoFundMe representative, indicating that most funds collected for the victims in Butler, Pennsylvania, have already been distributed.
This shift to utilizing a crowdfunding platform is an unprecedented response for a major political campaign. Traditionally, presidential candidates have not looked to a for-profit fundraising entity, commonly associated with individual appeals for medical expenses or educational pursuits, to unite their supporters for charitable causes.
Brett Kappel, a veteran campaign finance attorney, finds this strategy to be both unusual and strange. He notes that it is far more common for candidates to donate campaign finances to established nonprofits sanctioned by the IRS in times of crisis. He cited examples like Senator Tim Scott’s campaign contribution to the American Red Cross following Hurricane Ian’s devastation in South Carolina.
According to Trump campaign spokesperson Brian Hughes, the underlying goal was to enable supporters to provide direct assistance to those in need. The finance team became involved in this initiative due to its proficiency with substantial accounts, assuring that no funds would be diverted to the campaign. By early October, Hughes reported that more than $6.5 million out of the $7.7 million raised for Hurricane Helene relief had been allocated to aid organizations.
Hughes highlighted the strength of Trump’s supporter base, remarking on the successful fundraising in Butler and expressing confidence in similarly harnessing this strength for charitable efforts. Fundraising has attracted significant contributions from Trump allies, conservative voices, and right-wing organizations, with notable donations including $100,000 each from Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square, and UFC President Dana White. Republican Senator Rick Scott also pledged $50,000 towards the victims, alongside support from The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
GoFundMe deducts a fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents for each donation to cover transaction expenses. The platform’s Trust & Safety team is working closely with organizer Meredith O’Rourke to ensure that collected funds are properly allocated to their intended recipients. O’Rourke has also provided a verified distribution plan, a standard requirement for cases involving funds meant for other parties.
Experts caution that it may not be wise for campaign finance officials to simultaneously run crowdfunding pages while also managing campaign contributions. Andrew Herman, a campaign finance attorney, suggested that directing supporters to a recognized nonprofit would have been a more acceptable approach given the less regulated nature of online crowdfunding. He remarked that, while there may not be explicit laws against this practice, it raises ethical questions.
As of early October, most funds raised in Pennsylvania have already been distributed, with further allocations expected while the fund remains active. Hughes noted that the “vast majority” of these funds were directed to the families of the three individuals who were shot, while some also benefited a local crane rental company that faced financial loss due to the police investigation following the incident.
Funds collected for Hurricane Helene recovery have been distributed amongst four nonprofit organizations. A spokesperson from Samaritan’s Purse expressed appreciation for the support and stated that they are grateful for Trump’s consistent backing, although they did not divulge the specific donation amount. Water Mission, known for providing safe water solutions in disaster-stricken regions, and Mtn2Sea Ministries, which aids in delivering generators and supplies post-disaster, have both confirmed receiving assistance. Mtn2Sea Ministries, for instance, recently announced via social media that it received $25,000 to purchase gift cards for local businesses affected by the hurricane.
Trump’s focus on crowdfunding makes sense given the campaign’s skepticism toward traditional institutions. Benjamin Soskis from the Urban Institute noted that GoFundMe’s appeal lies in its positioning as an alternative to conventional charitable contributions. However, this method of fundraising carries risks regarding accountability due to lesser financial disclosure requirements compared to public charities.
Given Trump’s history with philanthropic fundraising, which includes legal scrutiny and a fine for misusing his philanthropic foundation, the situation raises additional concerns. Soskis described the merging of campaign fundraising with charitable giving as a volatile mix, particularly in light of Trump’s past philanthropic endeavors.
