Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to Maui wildfire fund backlash: 'I could've been better'

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has pledged to "grow and do better" after receiving backlash following the launch of his joint fundraiser for Maui with Oprah Winfrey.

Johnson and Winfrey launched the People's Fund of Maui in August in response to the devastating wildfires. The actor and former talk show host each donated $5 million to kick off the campaign and asked their fans to also contribute.

"When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash," Johnson said in a video shared to his Instagram on Sunday. "I get it and I completely understand, and I could’ve been better. And next time I will be better."

The "Moana" actor acknowledged that he knows "money ain’t falling out of the sky, and it’s not growing on trees, and there’s a lot of people out there who’s living paycheck to paycheck. And I get it, and I know what that’s like."

Many people criticized Johnson and Winfrey for not contributing more from their own pockets and asking their fans to donate.

"When you're living paycheck to paycheck, you are easily pissed off. It's frustrating," Johnson continued in his video on Instagram. "And the last thing you want to hear when you're living paycheck to paycheck is someone asking you for money — especially when the person asking you for money already has a lot of money. I get it, I understand."

Johnson's net worth is estimated at $270 million and Winfrey's is estimated $2.5 billion, according to Forbes.

"I’ve never launched a fund before, but I’m a quick study and lesson learned," the "Red Notice" star added.

He also thanked his fans for their honesty in his caption, writing, "I’ll always appreciate and protect that straight talk between us - you have my word to always listen, learn, grow and do better."

Johnson and Winfrey's fund is intended to give adults displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula a monthly stipend of $1,200 to help them during recovery.

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In Johnson's latest post, he said the first round of applicants has started to receive the monthly stipend.

"I’m so grateful and moved by all the messages I’m receiving out of Maui from the survivors of the devastating wildfires who are now getting their personal funding from The People’s Fund of Maui," he wrote in the caption. "The strength of our people of Maui is beautiful and inspiring. Watching families and community come together after this tragedy is inspirational and I’m proud of our Polynesian people."

Johnson concluded: "Thank you to everyone who has helped by sending resources, love and prayers to all people affected by the fires and a loving mahalo and RESPECT to our OG cultural leaders, our local community organizations, and all our first responders and every person who came together to help our people."

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