Democratic National Committee workers are asking for charitable donations after making significant layoffs in 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 spree were still fresh, including millions of dollars spent to host celebrity filled town halls for the vice president.
Two-thirds of DNC staffers were laid off as part of the downsizing on Wednesday, with only one day’s notice and no severance, according to the union.
‘These cuts go far beyond typical campaign turnover and impact employees who were previously told their positions would be retained after the election,’ the statement from the union protesting the layoffs read.
The DNC union fund portrayed laid off workers as victims of the party, urging individuals to send donations to soften the blow.
‘We are heartbroken to see our colleagues—who dedicated countless hours to electing Democrats up and down the ballot—depart under these circumstances, and we are furious with DNC leadership for failing to provide severance to those affected,’ the union fundraiser read.
The goal set by organizers is $25,000, but at the time of publication, only $15,816 has been raised.
‘We want to be clear: the funds raised from this GoFundMe are not a replacement for the severance we are still fighting for on behalf of our colleagues,’ the message read.
DNC officials told Fox News that the party had met the collective bargaining agreement, stressing that the layoffs were part of the normal post-election downsizing.
“Every cycle, political organizations scale up to meet the demands, and as the cycle comes to a close, it’s a tough reality of our industry that we must part with talented, hardworking staff,” a DNC spokesperson said in a statement.
The union stressed they would continue fighting to get the laid-off employees a severance payment from the party.
‘We want to be clear: the funds raised from this GoFundMe are not a replacement for the severance we are still fighting for on behalf of our colleagues,’ the message read.
News of the fundraiser prompted outrage on social media.
‘Just look how they treated their own staff! Thank God Harris didn’t win,’ wrote X user ‘Audie.’
‘This shows the typical Democrat mismanagement of funds and broken promises,’ wrote X user ‘Americat.’
Others referred to Harris’ long Hawaiian vacation, while her staffers were laid off.
‘Wow. Great job, Kamala. We all hope you’re enjoying your Hawaiian getaway,’ X user Brian wrote.
Others blamed the union for the employee problems.
‘I feel sorry for the people laid off but this is hilarious. A union of the DNC is reduced to having a GoFundMe page for the people they laid off??? wrote user @OldBabyBoomer1.
Some believed that wealthy Democratic supporting celebrities should help pay the staffers’ bills.
‘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 reports.
The failed Harris presidential campaign is reportedly already $20 million in debt, despite spending $1 billion from donors in just 15 weeks.
The White House punted questions about the laid off staffers to the Democratic National Committee, defending President Joe Biden’s brand as the ‘most pro-union president ever.’
‘Let’s not twist this in so many knots here,’ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during the White House press briefing before punting the question to the party committee.