Shark-related non-profits have apparently been experiencing quite the surge in donations since InTouch published an interview last week where Stormy Daniels, a porn star who allegedly had sexual contact with Donald Trump in 2006, said he wasn't such a fan of sharks.
In the interview, Daniels claims that '[Trump] is obsessed with sharks. Terrified of sharks. He was like, 'I donate to all these charities and I would never donate to any charity that helps sharks. I hope all the sharks die.''
As further proof, consider Trump's tweets on the subject. Because there are tweets, plural:
Since the story went live, though, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Massachusetts has noticed more donations than usual — and that they were coming in with benefactors specifically mentioning Trump.
'We have been receiving donations in Trump's name,' the Shark Conservancy told MarketWatch. She said it can be hard to raise money for an animal people fear, but most of the recent uptick in cash has been coming from first-time donors.
Captain Paul Watson, who runs the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in Burbank, California, says he feels Trumps shark-hating comments come from a place of ignorance. But ultimately, he's happy for the donations. 'Anything that focuses attention on the plight of sharks worldwide is valuable, so I guess in that way the president did good service,' Watson said.
