LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) is an organization that mobilizes and with the help of powerful voices in the industry works to cultivate the support through its philanthropists' goals.
It also builds awareness and raises funds, developing and enhancing programs on the local, national, and global level that facilitate positive social change, as per its website.
What did Oprah Winfrey say about the backlash?
Oprah has finally responded to the backlash weeks after committing to contribute to the People’s Fund of Maui.
The celebrated host along with Dwayne Johnson said that they will be offering $5 million each to help the people of Maui after horrific fires destroyed the historical town of Lahaina.
Winfrey made an appearance on CBS Mornings on Tuesday, September 12, with co-author Arthur C Brooks to promote their book, ‘Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.’
She was questioned about the backlash during the program and she responded by referring to her book.
“Well, this is a really great point about being happier in the midst of an onslaught of being terrorized and vilified online,” Oprah said.
“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't really know who I am? It will take you out," she continued.
“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,” she explained.
“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 said, adding in the beginning she was giving out 'material things' and 'dropping off generators and towels,” Oprah said as per Daily Mail.
The media proprietor continued, “We 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'll do what Dolly did, get other people to give money and then we'll put it directly into people's bank accounts.”
How did the internet react?
Some of the reactions from the backlash include, “No way in hell would I donate money to any charity Oprah is involved with,” where a user didn’t seem to trust the celebrity.
A second user said, "They don’t care. They’re just trying to act all benevolent, in reality both could simply and anonymously write a check for $10,000,000 and it wouldn’t even have an effect on their finances. But greed won’t allow that, so they set it up for hard working families to be benevolent."
"There’s a big difference between caring and virtue signaling. I saw a few videos of Maui locals on this. Brutal!," wrote another.
A user commented, "She can't believe that the people have finally wised up to the celebrity 'charity' con & they believe that billionaires who pretend to care should dip deep into their own pockets instead of lecturing the peasants on what to do & how to live."
