Ron DeSantis goes after GoFundMe and confirms they're under investigation now

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is joined with a number of Republican attorneys general to investigate the crowdfunding "platform" GoFundMe after the company decided to cut off funding for Canada's Freedom Convoy. They initially said that they would take the money that was donated for the Freedom Convoy and give it to organizations that they preferred rather than to the one that the donors intended it for. 

GoFundMe claimed Friday that the protest aimed at ending Canada’s vaccine mandates was becoming violent and therefore the Freedom Convoy would not see a penny of the $9 million donated but not yet distributed to the group. This claim is a total lie--even the local police stated that there were no acts of violence [like BLM and Antifa] and there was no looting or arson [like BLM and Antifa]. 

Not surprisingly, GoFundMe did not cut off donations to BLM or Antifa even when it was obvious to anyone with a brain, that they were committing acts of violence, looting, arson and even murder.

In its initial announcement, GoFundMe’s wording indicated to lucid readers that the donations could instead be used by any group it chose. That's like donating to the Cancer Society and they take your donation and give it to Stacy Abrams' gubernatorial campaign, for example.

After getting caught, GoFundMe issued a statement saying it would simply refund money to all donors--as if they were doing anyone a favor.

Stopping the financial assistance to the protesters sparked Gov. DeSantis' reaction and attorneys general such as  Jeff Landry (R-LA) Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) and Dave Yost (R-OH).

It is a fraud for @gofundme to commandeer $9M in donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing.

I will work with @AGAshleyMoody to investigate these deceptive practices — these donors should be given a refund.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 5, 2022

Then others soon joined in.

🚨It’s totally unacceptable for @gofundme to siphon over $9M in donations sent to support #TruckersForFreedom2020 & funnel it to causes it supports.

I will be investigating these deceptive practices. Donors should be given a refund.#TruckersConvoy2022 #TruckersForFreedom

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 5, 2022

I share the concerns of @WestVirginiaAG. My office will be looking into whether or not #GoFundMe violated our state law. If you are a Louisiana donor to the #FreedomConvoy, please contact my #ConsumerProtection Section! #lagov https://t.co/lwCAvsbLrY

— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) February 5, 2022

Donald Trump Jr. called for a coordinated response.

All GOP Attorney Generals should be looking at this & helping to get people their $$$ back so it can be redirected to the truckers. Don’t let @gofundme scam you… call your AGs & let them know. GFM seems to have no problem finding BLM riots… peaceful truckers should be fine too. https://t.co/YYLpQDUYl1

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 5, 2022

Yost said any Ohio residents impacted by this should contact him.

It is deeply troubling to me that a professional fundraiser like #GoFundMe thought they had a right to take donations they are holding in trust and simply “redirect” them.

We are going to get to the bottom of this.

— Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) February 5, 2022

Yost told WANE-TV that GoFundMe "isn't playing G_d with other people's money," and that simply because the money gets refunded does not mean the investigation is over.

“While that is a welcomed move, I am still interested in collecting information to make sure such things do not happen in the future,” Yost said. “Ohioans rely on their platform to do good, and their intentions and hopes should be honored.”

The crowdfunding website GiveandGo has since stepped in and was closing in on $2.8 million in donations for the Freedom Convoy as of early Sunday afternoon EST.

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So if you see a cause you want to donate to in the future, you might want to use GiveandGo and never use GoFundMe again. If the Left wants to play that game, conservatives, independents, and libertarians might want to do the same.

And if certain Republicans are too squishy to stand tall against the attacks on the U.S. Constitution, vote for someone who will--it's time to clean up after the party. 

Just don't vote for the fascist Left.

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