GoFundMe has clarified its stance regarding a fundraising page established to support Donald Trump in the aftermath of a civil fraud ruling. The crowdfunding platform confirmed to Newsweek that the fundraiser, initiated following Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision, which mandates Trump to pay approximately $355 million for fraudulent activities, complies with its terms of service despite public outcry on social media.
RELATED STORIES: Judge Orders Donald Trump And His Companies To Pay Nearly $355 Million In New York Civil Fraud Case
The judgment on Friday found Trump and executives at The Trump Organization guilty of asset inflation to secure more favorable deals from banks and insurers. Originating from a lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which initially demanded $250 million in damages, the claim was later adjusted to $370 million plus interest. With New York’s 9 percent interest rate on damages, James highlighted that the total judgment exceeds $450 million, which will continue to rise daily until full payment is made.
The controversial GoFundMe page, “Stand with Trump; Fund the $355M Unjust Judgment,” was created by Elena Cardone, spouse of businessman Grant Cardone, in response to the fraud judgment. As of the morning of February 19, the page has amassed around $414,000 in donations.
RELATED STORIES: E. Jean Carroll Jokes About Going On Shopping Spree Once Donald Trump Forks Over Court-Ordered $83 Million
Concerns were voiced on X (formerly Twitter) about the fundraiser’s compliance with GoFundMe’s regulations against collecting funds for individuals convicted of crimes. Users questioned the platform’s policies, with one stating, “Hey @gofundme, isn’t it against your rules to raise money for criminals?” and others suggesting the campaign violates guidelines prohibiting financial gains from criminal activities.
According to Newsweek, GoFundMe’s director of public affairs, Jalen Drummond, explained “This fundraiser is currently within our terms of service.” This statement comes amidst discussions about the ethical and legal ramifications of the fundraiser, with former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi labeling the effort as part of a “financial mirage” and potentially fraudulent itself, suggesting it could face legal challenges or criminal implications.
In the wake of the ruling, Trump criticized Judge Engoron and Attorney General James on Truth Social, labeling them as corrupt and promising to appeal against what he perceives as a politically motivated attack. James celebrated the decision as a significant victory, emphasizing on X that “no one is above the law,” including Trump.
This situation underscores the ongoing debate over accountability and the legal boundaries of fundraising for individuals facing judicial penalties, spotlighting GoFundMe’s role in such high-profile cases.
“Falls within our terms of service “?
That’s it? No further explanation?
I suspect we haven’t heard the last of this.
$414k…only $354,586,000 to go…
Bullshit