Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 30, 2025

GoFundMe walks back ‘Freedom Convoy’ plans

GoFundMe walks back ‘Freedom Convoy’ plans

Crowdfunding site has backtracked on its decision to give donations for the Canadian trucker-led protest to charities after official threats to investigate potential ‘fraud’

Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has reversed its decision to redistribute nearly $8 million (Can$10 million) in donations made to Canada’s ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest following backlash on social media and threats of investigations by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and various state prosecutors.

Announcing the reversal on Saturday, the site said it would “automatically refund” donations within seven to 10 business days without donors needing to submit an application. The company claimed it was “simplifying the process” due to “donor feedback.” It also clarified that the earlier update would have “enabled all donors to get a refund,” but also “outlined a plan to distribute remaining funds to verified charities selected by the Freedom Convoy organizers.”

The site originally shut down donations after “multiple discussions with local law enforcement” and “reports of violence and other unlawful activity” at the trucker-led campaign against 1Covid1-19 vaccine mandates. Protesters have been camping out in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, for over a week – with GoFundMe describing it on Friday as an “occupation.”

However, the move was criticized by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who tweeted on Saturday that he and state Attorney General Ashley Moody will “investigate these deceptive practices.” The Republican governor called it a “fraud” for GoFundMe to “commandeer $9 [million] in donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing,” adding that donors should be refunded.

Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also stated on social media that he would be investigating “potential fraud and deception,” and promised “justice” for “patriotic” donors from the state who contributed to the “worthy cause.” He labeled the platform as a “BLM-backing company” that “went woke, froze the funds, and failed to deliver Texans’ money.”

Earlier, state prosecutors from West Virginia and Ohio had also issued statements denouncing the site’s “deceptive” practices and asking “victimized” resident donors to file a complaint with their respective offices. However, it was unclear what kind of legal action the attorneys general were planning to undertake.

Despite backtracking on its earlier plans, GoFundMe has continued to draw flak on social media with several commenters urging a “boycott” of the platform. Prominent Canadian clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson called for it to “disappear” and noted that there was “zero excuse for such theft.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously branded the site as “professional thieves.”


 


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
×