Taylor Swift’s choice to give $5 million to the Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton recovery efforts has caused a great deal of controversy on the internet.
The popstar, 34, donated millions of dollars to Feeding America earlier this week, the charity stated, enabling it to ‘assist communities in rebuilding and recovering’ and ‘deliver crucial food, clean water, and supplies to families affected by the tragic hurricanes.’
Taylor Swift’s choice to contribute $5 million to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton recovery efforts has sparked intense debate on the internet.
One X, a former Twitter user, commented, “For reference this is the equivalent of me (a teacher) donating five cents so let’s not act like she’s making a sacrifice” in response to a post about her generosity.
While many applauded the singer for her “generosity,” others criticized her for not doing more, pointing out that $5 million was a tiny fraction of her $1.6 billion net wealth. Social media erupted into a contentious debate about the Cruel Summer singer’s gift shortly after the news broke online, with some even accusing her of doing so merely to get “good publicity.”
Feeding America announced earlier this week that the popstar, 34, had given the organization millions of dollars so it could ‘help communities rebuild and recover’ and ‘provide essential food, clean water, and supplies to people affected by the devastating storms’
‘For context, this is like someone with $1,000 net worth donating $5. Or if you had a $100,000 net worth (owned a home, 401k, etc.) and you donated $500,’ someone else pointed out. ‘In other words, not that impressive.’
‘I wonder what she’s saving the other 99.97 per cent of her $1.6 billion [net] worth for. Something more important than poor people, surely,’ read a fourth scathing tweet.
Some people also bashed Taylor for not giving to other causes, like the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
‘But she cant donate to Palestine?’ one person wrote on X.
‘Very nice, but what about Lebanon? Calling for a ceasefire? Donating? We need whatever can be given so that we can survive,’ said someone else.
‘She can donate to that in a blink of an eye but ignores the children dying in Gaza?’ asked a different user.
Another added, ‘Really glad that she is doing this when even the f**king government isn’t doing anything to help the victims of the hurricanes, but girl, where is this energy with Palestine?’
And while many praised the singer’s ‘generosity,’ others slammed her for not doing more. Destruction from Hurricane Milton is seen
Social media erupted into a heated debate over her contribution, and some people pointed out that $5 million was only a small portion of Taylor’s $1.6 billion net worth
Others accused the Cruel Summer songstress of only giving back because she wanted ‘good publicity’
Others even accused Taylor of using the charitable donation to look good in the media.
‘Is it of good faith or just a publicity stunt?’ one user wondered, while another quipped, ‘No thanks Taylor. We’d rather help ourselves than take your publicity money…’
‘Publicity stunt,’ someone else simply tweeted.
Many of her devoted supporters, however, had her back and were quick to defend her.
‘Taylor Swift hardly needs publicity,’ one of her dedicated fans fired back.
‘She didn’t announce this, by the way, so don’t even try to say she is doing it for good publicity,’ another added. ‘She has such a giant heart.’
‘Taylor Swift’s generous donation is truly inspiring and will make a real difference for those in need,’ gushed a different person.
Some people also bashed Taylor for not giving to other causes, like the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Many of her devoted supporters, however, had her back and were quick to defend her
Another agreed, ‘She’s always on the right side of history and using her money well. That’s a true mother.’
‘She could donate her whole net worth and y’all still wouldn’t be satisfied,’ a different user stated in regards to the haters.
‘Why are people trying to turn this into a bad thing?’ asked someone else. ‘I swear to God, you’re all insufferable.’
‘Why is there a discourse om this? She’s actually a very good person that does more than some politicians out there yet it’s always Taylor who is the one to blame,’ a different post said. ‘Do you people ever get f**king tired?’
‘You’re deeply unwell if you continue criticizing her for this this is a huge help that will save lives,’ another X user fired back to the people who slammed her.