Trump’s Hatred of Sharks Leads to Surge in Donations to Shark Charities

It seems that President Trump has indirectly done some good in the world through his wish that “all the sharks die.” Shark-related charities have received a number of donations in the president’s name since his feelings on sharks surfaced in a 2011 InTouch interview with adult film star Stormy Daniels, who allegedly had an affair with Trump in 2006.

According to MarketWatch, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have reported a surge in donations since Trump’s feelings toward the animals were made public. Many of the donations are coming from first-time donors.

“We have been receiving donations in Trump’s name since the story was published,” said Cynthia Wilgren, CEO and co-founder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, is thankful for the increase in cash flow, saying “anything that focuses attention on the plight of sharks worldwide is valuable.” He even praised the president’s efforts, adding, “I guess in that way the president did good service.”

The donations come after Daniels revealed Trump’s obsession with the predators of the sea after mentioning Discovery Channel’s much-beloved Shark Week series during a dinner with him. “He is obsessed with sharks,” said Daniels, continuing, “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.’”

Watson doesn’t think the president should be so scared of sharks, though, seeing as “quite a few more people die from lightning strikes and bee stings while playing golf than from sharks.”