Oprah Winfrey Expresses Shock at Backlash and 'Online Attacks' Over Maui Fire Fund with Dwayne Johnson: 'Sad State in Our Country'

Nearly two weeks after Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launched their fund to help Maui wildfire victims, Oprah is responding to the backlash

During the extensive interview, Winfrey was asked about the backlash to the fund, which surprised her

She reflected on one of the lessons of her new book, adding, Well, this is a really great point about being happier in the midst of an onslaught of being terrorized and villified online.

I will say this. I came out of this experience with so much more compassion for young kids, because I was thinking, what if I didnt really know who I am It will take you out.

So all of the online attacks, lies, conspiracy theories, really took the focus off of what was the most important thing, which is the people of Maui, Oprah explained.

So this idea came about because I was on the ground, talking to lots of people, trying to figure out how I can best help, she said, adding in the beginning she was giving out material things and dropping off generators and towels.

Then I started talking to people and people really wanted their own agency, she said, adding Gayle Kings son sent her an article about Dolly Parton, who organized her support fund to aid victims of the 2017 Gatlinburg, Tennessee fires.

She added that Parton had a concert and raised 12.5 million for the people and distributed the funds to them herself, 1,000 a month

For that, Dolly had thrown a concert, and all proceeds were going to given directly to the families who had lost a significant amount of their homes and belongings. Many of them received 1,000 from Dolly herself.