Country superstar Jason Aldean, who supports Donald Trump’s bid for president, announced during a Saturday concert a significant donation for Hurricane Helene relief.
During Aldean’s hometown “Highway Desperado” tour appearance in Macon, Georgia, the performer revealed that $7,039,604 was raised in a weeklong GoFundMe campaign launched by former President Trump. Aldean and his wife, Brittany Aldean, also announced a separate $500,000 donation by the couple, who were joined onstage by Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Trump added a video message.
The proceeds will be donated to Boone, North Carolina-based humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse.
“My wife is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and as we know, North Carolina got hammered pretty hard by this, so we also want to donate to the state of Georgia and Florida to Samaritan’s Purse as well,” Aldean said. “Obviously, Georgia means a lot to us, Carolina means a lot to her and we’re gonna try our best to take care of them the best we can.”
On Sept. 30, a GoFundMe fundraiser organized by the Trump campaign’s finance director, Meredith O’Rourke, surfaced, noting in its description, that “President Donald J. Trump has launched this GoFundMe campaign as an official response for MAGA supporters to offer their financial assistance to their fellow Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene.”
Aldean’s support matched by Morgan Wallen
Aldean’s $500,000 donation matches one recently made by another country chart-topping performer, Morgan Wallen. Via his Morgan Wallen Foundation, the East Tennessee native donated his sum to the American Red Cross on Sept. 30.
“My family in East Tennessee are safe but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states,” Wallen posted in an Instagram story. “Those hills and hollers are very important to me in so many ways. It is going to take a monumental effort and I am in contact with my team and others working on ways I can help.”
Wallen’s foundation is also partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee for a “HELP” campaign to raise funds and collect food for Hurricane Helene victims in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
On Oct. 9 in Knoxville and Nashville, a food and water drive, plus packing of disaster relief boxes, will happen in each city.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Aldean, Trump announce donations to Hurricane Helene relief
