Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have pledged $10 million in relief funds for residents impacted by the wildfires that devastated parts of Maui this summer. Despite offering a sizable sum for the relief effort, the two celebrities have faced criticism for not doing enough, alongside conspiracy theories questioning their motives.

Stars found $10 million Peoples Fund of Maui

Winfrey and Johnson announced their efforts to aid Maui residents through social media posts on August 31. In an Instagram post that has gained over 900,000 likes, the two stars announced the creation of the Peoples Fund of Maui. In the post’s video, Winfrey declares they created the fund to “put money directly into the hands of people who need it right now.” Maui residents from the Lahaina and Kula areas who have been displaced or negatively affected by the fires can apply for grants of up to $1,200 distributed through the fund. The two stars, who have been friends for years, have personal connections to Maui. Winfrey owns hundreds of acres of land on the island, while Johnson, who has Polynesian heritage, spent time in Hawaii as a child.

 

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Winfrey, Johnson face large online backlash

Even before launching her fund with Johnson, Winfrey faced criticism for buying over 1,000 acres in Maui over the years and contributing to rising property prices, which have priced out many locals. The fire’s destruction is exacerbating this housing shortage.

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted, “Straight Facts!!! Oprah & Rock are buggin’… bombastic side eye to them both 😒😒😒.”

Much of the criticism has centered on the fact that the two stars are worth nearly $3 billion, making their donation worth less than 1% of their total wealth.

Rumors and conspiracy theories

Some posts question the stars’ motives; for example, speculation has developed that Winfrey is taking advantage of the mass displacement by buying more land and thus depriving residents of the ability to resettle.

Others posted conspiracy theories, claiming, for example, that Johnson belonged to the Illuminati and that the project with Winfrey was part of a scheme.

The website Snopes has debunked several rumors about the celebrity response to the Maui fires, including shooting down the claims of a YouTube video alleging Johnson admitted to having played a “shady role” in the fires. Johnson has made no such claim, and nothing ties him to the fires.

Fans rush to defend Winfrey and Johnson

As Insider pointed out, however, several fans have come to the stars’ defense. 

“They donated 10 million!” one user said, adding, “I don’t understand why there is such negative reaction to this, but I must emphasize that being wealthy and accomplished doesn’t obligate someone to distribute their wealth.” 

Another defender pointed out the duo was supporting Maui residents and encouraging others to do the same: “They are spreading the word and asking others to donate as well as donating themselves.”

While support for Winfrey and Johnson in positive comments or likes on social media likely outweighs criticisms, their critics are many, and their voices ring loudly across social media. Thus, their charitable efforts in Maui and their connections to the area will continue to be scrutinized as the community slowly recovers from this devastating natural disaster.

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