'Grifting never ends': Internet slams Trump supporter for launching GoFundMe campaign to help ex-prez pay $355M fine

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Donald Trump's ever-ardent supporters have launched a fundraising campaign to assist the former president in paying the $355 million fine that was imposed on him, as a result of being found guilty in the New York civil fraud trial on Friday, February 16.

According to a report from The Blast, the GoFundMe page was created shortly after the court's ruling, which found Trump guilty of fraudulently inflating the value of his assets in financial documents.

“The recent legal battles he faces are not just an attack on him, but an attack on the very ideals of fairness and due process that every American deserves,” read the GoFundMe website. “It’s a moment that calls into question the balance of justice and the application of law, disproportionately aimed at silencing a voice that has been at the forefront of advocating for American strength, prosperity, and security.”

However, the fundraising campaign has been met with criticism from social media users, who have argued that Trump is already a billionaire and therefore does not require surplus funding from his base.

Who started fundraising drive for former POTUS?

The GoFundMe campaign for former President Donald Trump was initiated shortly after the court imposed the fine on him on Friday.

Elena Cardone, a Florida woman who described herself as a “mother and an ardent supporter of American values” started the GoFundMe campaign titled "Stand with Trump; Fund the $335M Unjust Judgment."

It is worth noting that Elena is married to Grant Cardone, a private equity fund manager and real estate investor.

In a recent development, Donald Trump, the 77-year-old Republican presidential frontrunner was found guilty of fraudulently inflating his assets in financial documents by the New York Attorney General's office.

The verdict was delivered on Friday, with Justice Arthur Engoron, the judge presiding over the case, ordering Trump and his companies to pay a substantial fine of $354,868,768, as recommended by Attorney General Letitia James.

Despite Trump's decision to appeal the verdict, the fundraising campaign has raised over $195,000 from more than 4400 donors within a day of its launch.

As part of the donation appeal, Elena wrote that the fund's primary goal is to demonstrate commitment to the MAGA figurehead and therefore, by extension, to other MAGA supporters.

"This is more than a legal fund; it's a clarion call to all patriots to rally in defense of a man who has never hesitated to stand in defense of us," Elena stated.

She continued, "It's about showing that when one of us is targeted for championing the values that make America great, he does not stand alone. We stand with him, shoulder to shoulder, ready to support, defend, and fight back against a system that threatens to undermine the very foundations of our republic."

Meanwhile, Elena's husband took to X, previously Twitter, to condemn the "unjust" verdict while appealing to people to contribute to the fund.

"Give something & DEMONSTRATE that the people of America are standing together against unjust rulings like this where a bias [sic] judges & corrupt legal system is out of control," Grant penned.

He stated, "Any amount is welcomed & 100% of funds will be forwarded to Trump Org for his defense of this ridiculous judgment. If this ruling stands, everything you own is at risk."

According to the New York Post, on multiple occasions, supporters of the former US President have resorted to crowdfunding in order to raise funds on his behalf.

Notably, in 2019, a GoFundMe campaign intended to raise money for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border resulted in a staggering $25 million in contributions, before its creators were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

Internet trolls Elena Cardone for launching GoFundMe campaign 

People on X ridiculed the fundraising effort for the former President, arguing that Trump is already a billionaire and therefore does not require additional financial support coming from his followers' pockets.

One X user remarked, "This is ridiculous he's supposedly a billionaire. Let him sell some assets and pay this off himself, same with attorney fees."

Another user quipped, "Currently $78k with a single donor of $2.5k, only a little ways to go."

Another user argued, "Trump “fan”. 1. So not someone actually connected to Trump. 2. Questionable if they’re even real fans. MAGA knows better than to give GoFundMe any business."

One user wrote, "No different than contributing to GOP fund. He’ll never pay himself. Why do you think he declared bankruptcy five times? He’s nothing but a con man, always has been and always will!"

Another X user said, "A #gofundme for a billionaire with his own plane?? Oh."

Finally, this user tweeted, "The grifting never ends"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.