Conservative commentator Matt Walsh raises $104,000 for AOC's Puerto Rican grandmother after she blamed Trump for her 'abuela's' falling-apart house - but now she's REFUSING to accept the donations

  • Matt Walsh, a blogger for right-leaning Daily Wire, raised more than $104,000 to help repair home of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's grandmother 
  • 'One cannot be certain of the cost to repair grandma’s house, but most of the work could be completed for the price of AOC’s shiny Tesla Model 3,' he wrote 
  • Walsh wrote that he would donate the money if AOC accepted it, though he later was told that the offer was rejected by 'someone' in AOC's family
  • GoFundMe and Walsh confirmed on Saturday that the donations were rejected and that all donors will have their money refunded 
  • Ocasio-Cortez was slammed on Twitter for posting images of her grandma's hurricane-torn house in Puerto Rico instead of helping her
  • Several users excoriated AOC for choosing to spend money on a new Tesla instead of sending part of her $174,000 congressional salary to her grandma
  • One user pointed out that she rents two apartments, including in a luxury building in Washington D.C. where one-bedroom units start at $2,500 per month
  • 'Honey, you drive a Tesla and have two apartments,' a congressional candidate tweeted. 'If your grandmother is living poor that's because you don't help her'
  • AOC blamed Trump for the condition of her grandma's home, claiming he needed to send more aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria  

A conservative commentator raised more than $104,000 to help repair the Puerto Rico home of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s grandmother, but the Democratic congresswoman and 'Squad' leader is refusing to accept it. 

She had posted images on social media earlier this week showing the severely damaged house - with a falling-in ceiling - which she blamed on former President Trump, who she said had blocked aid to the hurricane-ravaged island and US territory.

Commentator Matt Walsh said it was rich that someone who made $174,000 a year as a congresswoman - and drove a Tesla - would be begging on Twitter for help; he organized the GoFundMe campaign that had raised $104,000 by Saturday morning.

But a spokesperson for the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe told DailyMail.com on Saturday that 'the beneficiary has made clear to our Trust and Safety team they do not wish to accept the donations.'

'I can confirm the donations have been turned off and all donors will be fully refunded,' GoFundMe spokesperson Bobby Whithorne told DailyMail.com.  

Walsh, a blogger for Daily Wire who launched the fundraiser, also confirmed on Saturday that 'someone in AOC's abuela's family told GoFundMe that she won't take the money, even though AOC previously claimed that her grandma was in dire straits (and it was Trump's fault).' Abuela is Spanish for grandmother.

Walsh, who posted an email from GoFundMe on his Twitter account, added: 'AOC still hasn't acknowledged this effort or thanked us.' 

Critics, including Walsh, were quick to jump on Ocasio-Cortez's initial post on Wednesday showing her grandmother's home in a dilapidated state after it sustained damage due to Hurricane Maria in September 2017. 

A conservative commentator raised more than $104,000 to help repair the damaged Puerto Rican home of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez¿s grandmother after the Democratic lawmaker posted images on social media showing the damaged house which she blamed on former President Trump for not helping the hurricane-ravaged island

A conservative commentator raised more than $104,000 to help repair the damaged Puerto Rican home of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s grandmother after the Democratic lawmaker posted images on social media showing the damaged house which she blamed on former President Trump for not helping the hurricane-ravaged island

Conservative blogger Matt Walsh
House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

'One cannot be certain of the cost to repair grandma’s house, but surely most of the work could be completed for the price of AOC’s shiny Tesla Model 3,' conservative blogger Matt Walsh (left) wrote on GoFundMe. Ocasio-Cortez is seen right

Ocasio-Cortez was slammed on Twitter on Wednesday for posting images of her grandma's falling-down house in Puerto Rico instead of giving her money to help

Ocasio-Cortez was slammed on Twitter on Wednesday for posting images of her grandma's falling-down house in Puerto Rico instead of giving her money to help

One image shows a room with just a chair and several plastic buckets to catch water coming rom the ceiling, which is falling down in several spots

One image shows a room with just a chair and several plastic buckets to catch water coming rom the ceiling, which is falling down in several spots

Another image of AOC's grandmother's home shows a room where there is a dresser and more ceiling panels falling down

Another image of AOC's grandmother's home shows a room where there is a dresser and more ceiling panels falling down

Matt Walsh, a blogger for Daily Wire who launched the fundraiser, confirmed on Saturday that 'someone in AOC's abuela's family told GoFundMe that she won't take the money, even though AOC previously claimed that her grandma was in dire straits (and it was Trump's fault).'

Matt Walsh, a blogger for Daily Wire who launched the fundraiser, confirmed on Saturday that 'someone in AOC's abuela's family told GoFundMe that she won't take the money, even though AOC previously claimed that her grandma was in dire straits (and it was Trump's fault).'

Walsh, who posted an email from GoFundMe on his Twitter account, added: 'AOC still hasn't acknowledged this effort or thanked us.'

Walsh, who posted an email from GoFundMe on his Twitter account, added: 'AOC still hasn't acknowledged this effort or thanked us.'

The critics questioned why the progressive lawmaker who makes $174,000 and drives a Tesla isn't sending money to help her grandmother.

'On June 2nd, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reported to Twitter that her dear abuela has fallen ill and continues to live in squalid conditions since her home was ravaged by Hurricane María,' Walsh wrote on the GoFundMe crowdfunding page on Friday.

'One cannot be certain of the cost to repair grandma’s house, but surely most of the work could be completed for the price of AOC’s shiny Tesla Model 3. 

'As AOC pointed out to us, we "don’t even have a concept for the role that [incredibly successful children of two American citizens…] play in their families," but clearly caring for their own grandparent isn’t part of it.

'Says the congresswoman, "…instead of only caring for [my own grandmother] & letting others suffer, I’m calling attention to the systemic injustices…”

'No, seriously. She really said that.

'Sadly, virtue-signaling isn’t going to fix abuela’s roof. So we are.

'Let’s all kick in to help save AOC’s abuela’s ancestral home. Any amount is appreciated, but the cost of a monthly lease payment on that Tesla is around $499…

Walsh announced the crowdfunding effort on his Twitter feed. He has more than 557,000 Twitter followers

Walsh announced the crowdfunding effort on his Twitter feed. He has more than 557,000 Twitter followers

Walsh said he would 'kick things off by donating $499, which happens to be the cost of a monthly lease payment for a Tesla'

Walsh said he would 'kick things off by donating $499, which happens to be the cost of a monthly lease payment for a Tesla'

On Twitter, Walsh was accused of 'turning charity into a racist "f*** you"'

On Twitter, Walsh was accused of 'turning charity into a racist "f*** you"'

'Abuela is not my enemy,' Walsh tweeted at a Twitter user who criticized him. 'Her wealthy socialist granddaughter declined to help so I stepped into the void. What's the problem here?'

'Abuela is not my enemy,' Walsh tweeted at a Twitter user who criticized him. 'Her wealthy socialist granddaughter declined to help so I stepped into the void. What's the problem here?'

Walsh was also criticized by fellow conservatives. Elijah Schaffer, a reporter for the right-leaning The Blaze, tweeted: ¿Conservatives are raising money for AOC¿s family & I can¿t even breathe. Lol. As if we weren¿t taken advantage of and abused by the Dems already, now we paying their family bills.¿ Walsh tweeted in response to Schaffer: ¿I¿m a philanthropist, Elijah. Just doing what philanthropists do.'

Walsh was also criticized by fellow conservatives. Elijah Schaffer, a reporter for the right-leaning The Blaze, tweeted: ‘Conservatives are raising money for AOC’s family & I can’t even breathe. Lol. As if we weren’t taken advantage of and abused by the Dems already, now we paying their family bills.’ Walsh tweeted in response to Schaffer: ‘I’m a philanthropist, Elijah. Just doing what philanthropists do.'

Amanda Milius, a former Trump administration official, said the fundraiser was a ¿stupid [and] not even remotely humored AOC-obsessed GOP stunt¿ and that donors should give money to ¿actual people who need help.¿ Walsh replied to Milius: ¿Of course we do something new and interesting and some people on the right whine about it. ¿Not sure how our fundraiser is preventing anyone from donating to any other fundraiser, but okay Amanda. ¿Sorry you¿re offended.¿

Amanda Milius, a former Trump administration official, said the fundraiser was a ‘stupid [and] not even remotely humored AOC-obsessed GOP stunt’ and that donors should give money to ‘actual people who need help.’ Walsh replied to Milius: ‘Of course we do something new and interesting and some people on the right whine about it. ‘Not sure how our fundraiser is preventing anyone from donating to any other fundraiser, but okay Amanda. ‘Sorry you’re offended.’ 

Another Twitter user accused Walsh of running a 'fraudulent fundraiser'

Another Twitter user accused Walsh of running a 'fraudulent fundraiser'

The fundraiser on GoFundMe became the most popular crowdfunding effort on Friday

The fundraiser on GoFundMe became the most popular crowdfunding effort on Friday

'I don't know why I'm trending,' Walsh tweeted. 'All I wanted to do was help a poor grandmother out.'

'I don't know why I'm trending,' Walsh tweeted. 'All I wanted to do was help a poor grandmother out.'

When Walsh was told that he was 'sick in the mind,' he responded: 'Why? Can't a guy raise money for an abuela? What's sick about that?'

When Walsh was told that he was 'sick in the mind,' he responded: 'Why? Can't a guy raise money for an abuela? What's sick about that?'

Gina Bontempo tweeted: ¿As a self-proclaimed 1st-gen, first-born minority daughter, AOC should feel so ashamed that a straight white Christian male like Matt Walsh is doing more to help her poverty-stricken abuela than she is. He's raised over $40,000 already.¿

Gina Bontempo tweeted: ‘As a self-proclaimed 1st-gen, first-born minority daughter, AOC should feel so ashamed that a straight white Christian male like Matt Walsh is doing more to help her poverty-stricken abuela than she is. He's raised over $40,000 already.’

'All proceeds will be donated to abuela, if she will accept them.'

As of Saturday morning, the fundraiser raised a total of $104,153, but GoFundMe says that all of the money will be returned to each donor.

The crowdfunding effort took off after Walsh’s hashtag #HelpAbuela went viral on Twitter.

Nonetheless it generated outrage from both the left and the right.

Amanda Milius, a former Trump administration official, said the fundraiser was a ‘stupid [and] not even remotely humored AOC-obsessed GOP stunt’ and that donors should give money to ‘actual people who need help.’

Walsh replied to Milius: ‘Of course we do something new and interesting and some people on the right whine about it.

‘Not sure how our fundraiser is preventing anyone from donating to any other fundraiser, but okay Amanda.

‘Sorry you’re offended.’

Elijah Schaffer, a reporter for the right-leaning The Blaze, tweeted: ‘Conservatives are raising money for AOC’s family & I can’t even breathe. Lol.

‘As if we weren’t taken advantage of and abused by the Dems already, now we paying their family bills.’

Walsh tweeted in response to Schaffer: ‘I’m a philanthropist, Elijah. Just doing what philanthropists do.

‘AOC has her money tied up in Tesla car payments so I’m stepping in to solve the problem. That’s all there is to it.’

Others like columnist Kurt Schlichter praised Walsh, saying his fundraiser was ‘genius.’

Gina Bontempo tweeted: ‘As a self-proclaimed 1st-gen, first-born minority daughter, AOC should feel so ashamed that a straight white Christian male like Matt Walsh is doing more to help her poverty-stricken abuela than she is.

‘He's raised over $40,000 already.’

Others offered harsh criticism, with one Twitter user calling Walsh ‘sick in the mind.’

Another Twitter user denounced Walsh as a ‘fascist’ and urged others to report the ‘fraudulent fundraising activity’ to GoFundMe.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Walsh and Ocasio-Cortez’s office for comment. 

Conservative columnist Matt Walsh excoriated AOC for choosing to spend money on a new Tesla instead of sending part of her $174,000 salary to her grandma in Puerto Rico

Conservative columnist Matt Walsh excoriated AOC for choosing to spend money on a new Tesla instead of sending part of her $174,000 salary to her grandma in Puerto Rico

A Florida congressional candidate also called out Ocasio-Cortez for her Tesla and two apartments

A Florida congressional candidate also called out Ocasio-Cortez for her Tesla and two apartments

AOC clarified 'for the record' that her grandma 'is doing okay', after she started receiving backlash for not sending help

AOC clarified 'for the record' that her grandma 'is doing okay', after she started receiving backlash for not sending help

Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday posted the initial tweet that generated a backlash from conservatives.

'Just over a week ago, my abuela fell ill. I went to Puerto Rico to see her- my 1st time in a year+ bc of COVID,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter.

'This is her home,' she continued, posting two pictures of mostly-empty rooms where the ceiling is falling in and plastic buckets on the ground are collecting water. Also in the images are one chair, one dresser and a tarp on the ground.

'Hurricane María relief hasn't arrived. Trump blocked relief $ for PR. People are being forced to flee ancestral homes, & developers are taking them,' the New York congresswoman wrote.  

Walsh jumped on the post: 'AOC went and bought herself a Tesla while her grandmother lives in a shack with a collapsing ceiling.'

'It never fails with these champagne socialists,' he continued. 'They expect everyone else to make sacrifices while making none themselves.'

'AOC is willing to redistribute everyone's money but her own,' Parkland school shooting survivor Kyle Kashuv agreed in his own post.

GOP candidate for Florida's 24th congressional district Lavern Spicer boiled the situation down to one word – 'sad.'

'Honey, you drive a Tesla and have two apartments,' she tweeted on Wednesday. 'If your grandmother is living poor that's because you don't help her out. I'm surprised that a socialist wouldn't redistribute that wealth to their grandma.'

AOC has an apartment in her home district in New York City and a luxury apartment in Washington, D.C. where one bedroom units – at least those where the bedroom actually has a window – starts at $2,500 per month.  

Stock photo of an image of the living rooms in the apartment units where Ocasio-Cortez rents in Washington D.C.

Stock photo of an image of the living rooms in the apartment units where Ocasio-Cortez rents in Washington D.C. 

The one-bedroom units in luxury apartment building start at $2,500 per month if residents want to have a window to outside from their bedroom

The one-bedroom units in luxury apartment building start at $2,500 per month if residents want to have a window to outside from their bedroom

Ocasio-Cortez's Tesla was pictured illegally parked at the Whole Foods near her apartment in Washington D.C. last month

Ocasio-Cortez's Tesla was pictured illegally parked at the Whole Foods near her apartment in Washington D.C. last month

AOC blamed Trump for Puerto Rico not recovering from the Hurricane

AOC blamed Trump for Puerto Rico not recovering from the Hurricane

Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York's 14th congressional district and is a self-described Democratic socialist, continued to blame Trump in her Twitter thread. 

'In the aftermath of María, the Trump admin oversaw two key items: handing millions in public $ to unqualified donor pals (ex Whitefish). The other was to impose extremely difficult eligibility rules for Puerto Ricans, which allowed mass rejections of recovery fund applications,' she wrote. 

'I want to be clear - while Trump admin had a major role, it wasn't just them,' she said. 'La Junta, local policies, etc were all on the same page: policies that pushed out local families. To turn this around, we need audits & get recovery relief to people ASAP, without the onerous strings.'

She did clarify 'for the record - my abuela is doing okay.'

'It's not about us, but about what's happening to Puerto Rican's across the island. She had a place to go to and be cared for - what about the thousands of people who don't?'

One Twitter user demanded that she 'sell your Tesla!' so she can send money to her grandma

One Twitter user demanded that she 'sell your Tesla!' so she can send money to her grandma 

Another blamed AOC for waiting on bailouts from Washington to help rather than stepping up to the plate

Another blamed AOC for waiting on bailouts from Washington to help rather than stepping up to the plate

Former Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz agreed with AOC that more aid is needed from the U.S. to help recover from the hurricane that hit during Trump's presidency

Former Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz agreed with AOC that more aid is needed from the U.S. to help recover from the hurricane that hit during Trump's presidency

A Twitter user wrote to AOC: 'Sell your Tesla! You should be ashamed for letting her live like this. We have a responsibility to care for our elders!?'

Another said: 'Are you seriously admitting to the whole internet that you let your grandma sleep on a bare wood platform while you drive around in a tesla? how could you not wire a couple thousand bucks to your own grandma?'

Ocasio-Cortez's white Tesla was spotted illegally parked last month outside the Whole Foods under her apartment building in an upscale neighborhood of Washington, D.C. less than a mile from Capitol Hill.

Former Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who was in office when Hurricane Maria hit, sympathized with AOC.

'This is how it is,' she wrote. 'The investors and those who believe in privatizing essential services are taking advantage of the tragedy of Puerto Rico and our people.'

Cruz was in office from 2013-2020 and was highly critical of Trump when he was president.

AOC endorses liberal ex-MSNBC host Maya Wiley for NYC mayor 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed former MSNBC host and liberal activist Maya Wiley for New York City mayor on Saturday.

Wiley, who has trailed in the polls, has trumpeted her calls for 'progressive change.' 

She ranked in fifth place, with only 9 percent of the respondents choosing her as their No. 1 choice, in an Emerson College/PIX 11 poll conducted at the end of May. 

Still, supporters said AOC's endorsement could give Wiley a push in the June 22 election, when New York city voters will select their choice for a Democratic primary winner in the city's first use of 'ranked-choice' voting.

'Join AOC and our movement to bring progressive change to City Hall,' Wiley tweeted soon after the congresswoman's endorsement, also posting a link for fundraising.

As for her part, Ocasio-Cortez said, 'If we don’t come together as a movement, we will get a New York City built by and for billionaires, and we need a city by and for working people,' when giving her endorsement. 

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