Ellen DeGeneres is getting dragged online after donating $5,000 to a GoFundMe for her late producer Matthew Wright. Wright, 52, died suddenly in his sleep last Friday while working remotely in Los Angeles. The fundraiser, organized to help transport his body from California to New York, received the donation and a tearful Instagram tribute from DeGeneres, who called him an amazing guy who was smart, kind, and universally loved.
Critics latched onto the dollar amount almost instantly, arguing that $5,000 is a drop in the bucket for someone with DeGeneres’reported wealth. One commenter wrote that she was crying so hard in her tribute, so why not pay the entire 50k? Fans fired back, noting that she wasn’t obligated to donate anything and that $5,000 is a substantial contribution to a family fundraiser either way.
Wright worked as a producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and later The Jennifer Hudson Show, and his family shared an update thanking supporters. The debate online has mostly drowned out that part. So we’re asking you: is any donation above zero fair game for criticism, or does the amount only matter to the people writing checks? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
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