Entertainment News3 min(s) read
Ellen DeGeneres under fire after donating $5K to her producer Matthew Wright's GoFundMe after he died suddenly
Controversial chat show host Ellen DeGeneres has faced criticism for a donation she made to the family of her former colleague after he died unexpectedly.
Matthew Wright, who worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, died suddenly at just 52 on October 30 while working away from home in Los Angeles.
The executive producer appeared in sketches and segments alongside the comedian and presenter.
In an emotional tribute shared by DeGeneres via Instagram video, she described Wright as a funny, smart, and kind person who was beloved by everyone they worked with.
DeGeneres paid an emotional tribute to her former colleague
After expressing her condolences to his husband, Justin, and the rest of his family, the star said: "He is and always will be the glue to our entire family at the Ellen show."
In the days since his sudden death, Wright's family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of transporting his body back to New York, arranging his funeral, and holding a memorial in Los Angeles.
As expected, his former boss contributed to the fundraiser, but despite her heartfelt tribute to her former colleague, many people online have criticized DeGeneres for saying words that were kinder than her actions.
Although she donated $5,000 towards the $50,000 goal, hundreds of people online claimed that she could have been far more generous, considering she is a multimillionaire.
The considerable contribution has sparked a wave of harsh criticism online, with many claiming that she could have covered the family's entire expenses with one payment.
People online believed the celebrity could have covered all the costs
One Instagram user commented below her tearful tribute video: "Why did he need a GoFundMe?
"You could have just paid for everything. The 5K donation you made is 0.001% of your net worth. I don't get it."
Another added: "She could easily cover the entire cost by reaching out privately to do so. 50k is a nickel to her. She won't, though."
A third person chimed in with: "If she's so heartbroken, take care of the family. What the heck has happened to Ellen?"
To make matters worse for the stand-up comedian, the fundraiser explained that Wright and his husband had both been laid off over the summer, making the expenses especially difficult for the family to manage.
The GoFundMe description read: "The unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral, and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear."
This is not the first time that DeGeneres has come under fire for the treatment of her employees. In the past, she has faced allegations that she was rude and intimidating behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.