President Trump’s devoted fans have been contributing to an intense crowdfunding effort to help finance the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. “The Trump Wall” GoFundMe outreach is approaching $19 million in donations, accrued in 19 days, and donated by 312,000 people.
Donations are coming in, roughly, at $1 million a day.
“If the 63 million people who voted for Trump each pledge $80, we can build the wall. That equates to roughly $5 billion. Even if we get half, that’s half the wall. We can do this,” advises the site, launched on Dec. 16 by Brian Kolfage, a gravely wounded Air Force combat vet and triple amputee.
“If we can fund a large portion of this wall, it will jumpstart things and will be less money Trump has to secure from our politicians. This won’t be easy, but it’s our duty as citizens. We can do it, and we can help President Trump make America safe again,” the site states.
Mr. Kolfage has organized active Twitter and Facebook accounts, and there also is a new public petition that has drawn 3.5 million signatures in a matter of days.
“The wall is being built! We are releasing full plan next week! We have full backing from people you love and trust! It’s happening! We are building the wall. We no longer need the government,” the petition states.
“This shows the resolve of the American people, and what they’re able to do when they come together on something,” Mr. Kolfage told Fox Business Network in an interview this week.
“Is there something you’re doing in conjunction with the president?” asked host Lou Dobbs.
“I don’t want to get into too many details. But the people’s money will fund the wall,” Mr. Kolfage replied, adding that more details would be revealed “when information is nailed down legally.”
In the meantime, GoFundMe accounts to raise money for the “Trump wall” have proliferated — though few have raised significant amounts. In addition, a spate of parody sites to fund tunnels or ladders for would-be migrants have also sprung up, founded by those who oppose the wall.
One site inaugurated in August by Steve Sprague had raised less than $1,000 since that time.
Mr. Sprague told Washington Times chief political writer Stephen Dinan earlier this year that he had “investigated and found out that private citizens can gift money to the government. They can’t earmark it for a specific project, but they can direct it to a department.”
Mr. Dinan reported Friday that a Wisconsin congressman has announced legislation to allow Americans to donate money to the government earmarked specifically to build Mr. Trump’s wall.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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