Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to Maui fund backlash after asking fans to donate

Wrestling superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has responded to the backlash against him and Oprah Winfrey after they asked people to donate to their charity fund.

Johnson and Winfrey set up the Wildfire Recovery Fund in a bid to support people who lost their homes in the wildfires which affected Maui in August.

However, the pair received criticism after they asked fans to donate, with critics pointing to the fact that Winfrey is a billionaire and Johnson is worth around $800 million.

Now, the professional wrestler-turned-actor has responded. You can watch the footage below.

The caption accompanying the video said: “As @Oprah and I have seen firsthand, the impacts of these wildfires have been devastating, and we’re here to ensure with 100 percent guarantee that your donations will go directly into the hands of Lahaina residents.

“Every adult resident who lives in the affected area and was displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula is eligible to receive $1,200 per month to help them through this period of recovery.”

Speaking on the video, Johnson said: “When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash. I get it and I completely understand, and I could’ve been better. And next time I will be better.

“Money ain’t falling out of the sky, and it’s not growing on trees, and there’s a lot of people out there who’s living paycheck to paycheck. And I get it, and I know what that’s like.”

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He continued: “The last thing you want to hear when you are living from paycheck to paycheck is someone asking you for money, especially when the person asking you for money already has a lot of money.

“I get it, I understand. I’ve never launched a fund before, but I’m a quick study and lesson learned.

“We keep it real. If I do something and you guys love it, you let me know. 'Rock we love it, let's roll'. If I do something and you hate it, you let me know 'Rock, we hate it. Don't even do that s**t again.”

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