Ellen DeGeneres faces mixed reactions to GoFundMe contribution for late producer Matthew Wright
The talk-show host donated just over $7,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for the family of her late executive producer, prompting both criticism and support on social media.
Ellen DeGeneres contributed a little more than $7,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the family of Matthew Wright, the executive producer of her talk show who died suddenly at age 52. The campaign, which aims to help Wright’s husband, father, sister and niece travel to New York for a proper goodbye, has already exceeded its $70,000 target.
Social media users reacted sharply to the size of the donation. Some commenters suggested the amount was insufficient given DeGeneres’s reported wealth, while others defended her for making any contribution at all, noting that she was not obligated to give.
In an Instagram video posted after Wright’s death, DeGeneres described him as “an amazing guy” who was funny, kind and a beloved part of the show, expressing personal grief over his loss.