Democratic National Committee employees are asking for charitable donations following significant layoffs during a dramatic downsizing after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election.
The pleas for donations sparked outrage on social media as memories of the massive $1 billion Kamala Harris campaign spending were still fresh, including millions of dollars spent hosting celebrity-filled town halls for the vice president .
Two-thirds of DNC staffers were laid off Wednesday as part of the downsizing, with just one day’s notice and without severance pay, the union said.
“These cuts go well beyond the typical campaign cycle and impact employees who were previously told their positions would be retained after the election,” read the statement from the union protesting the layoffs.
The DNC’s union fund portrayed laid-off workers as victims of the party and urged individuals to send donations to soften the blow.
“We are heartbroken to see our colleagues – who spent countless hours electing Democrats – leave under these circumstances.
The goal set by organizers amounts to $25,000, but at time of publication only $15,816 has been raised.
“We want to be clear: the money raised from this GoFundMe will not replace the severance payments we continue to fight for on behalf of our colleagues,” the message read.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on Air Force Two
DNC officials told Fox News reported that the party had complied with the collective bargaining agreement and emphasized that the layoffs were part of normal post-election downsizing.
“Every cycle, political organizations scale up to meet demands, and as the cycle comes to a close, it is a harsh reality in our industry that we will have to say goodbye to talented, hardworking staff,” a DNC spokesperson said in a statement declaration.
The union emphasized that they would continue to fight to get the dismissed workers severance pay from the party.
“We want to be clear: the money raised from this GoFundMe will not replace the severance payments we continue to fight for on behalf of our colleagues,” the message read.
News of the fundraiser sparked outrage on social media.
‘Look how they treated their own staff! Thank God Harris Didn’t Win wrote X-user ‘Audie.’
“This shows typical democratic mismanagement of funds and broken promises.” wrote X-user ‘America.’
Kamala Harris is now on vacation in Hawaii after losing her presidential race to Donald Trump
DNC asks for GoFundMe donations
Others referenced Harris’ extended Hawaiian vacation while her staffers were laid off.
‘Wow. Well done, Kamala. We all hope you enjoy your Hawaiian getaway,” X user Brian wrote.
Others blamed the union for the staffing problems.
“I feel sorry for the people who got fired, but this is hilarious. A DNC union is reduced to having a GoFundMe page for the people they fired??? wrote user @OldBabyBoomer1.
Some believed that wealthy, Democratic-supporting celebrities should help pay staff bills.
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (L) joins US television producer Oprah Winfrey during a ‘Unite for America’ live streaming rally
‘Hey, ask Oprah, Clooney, Beyoncé, for $$,’ wrote Judith Drew.
Oprah Winfrey’s production company made at least $2.5 billion in payments for the event. according to to reports.
Harris’ failed presidential campaign is already reportedly $20 million in debt, despite spending $1 billion from donors in just 15 weeks.
The White House directed questions about the fired staffers to the Democratic National Committee, defending President Joe Biden’s brand as the “most unionized president ever.”
“Let’s not tie this into so many knots,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the White House news conference before referring the question to the party committee.