In a country run by a callous and incompetent administration, one can take solace in the fact that there are still people willing to help their fellow man.
Conservative commentator and Turning Point USA chief creative officer Benny Johnson decided to visit East Palestine, Ohio shortly after the February 3 train derailment and help the suffering residents. 20 people closest to the disaster received $1,000 each.
He released the video of his meeting on Sunday.
Johnson opens his video by praising the “sweet, patriotic community” of East Palestine. He then talks about the derailment of the train and the incomprehensible government response that led to immense suffering.
“Chemicals spilled into the air and water and soil. These people now have to live forever. Even worse, the government came and then lit everything on fire, sending black toxic smoke straight into the atmosphere and then they told everyone to go back to their homes, everything is safe. But there is no hope.”
Watch:
We took all of our social media revenue and gave it to the people hardest hit by the toxic explosion in East Palestine.
These responses say it all.
We don’t have to wait for the government to help our fellow Americans in need.
Please watch… pic.twitter.com/ngjDDXl0ji
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 20, 2023
Johnson further reveals that the train that caused the derailment gave Norfolk Southern residents a measly $5. They pledge to deliver real relief and real compassion.
“We think that’s wrong and we’re here today, we’ve identified 20 homes that are close to that toxic burn and we’re going to those homes and we’re going to hand them $1,000. And we’re going to say we’re sorry this happened to you, we need the government to come and save us or help us. Not necessarily, we the American people can help each other.
After Johnson’s crew finished shooting the scene, a man walking by Smiley walked up and didn’t come to help. Smiley also pointed out train wreckage in his backyard from burned chemical trains.
“So no one came to help?” Johnson asked.
“No, I haven’t talked to anyone from the railroad,” Smiley responded. “They’re all hiding.”
He told Johnson that he had always helped others. “If they need something, if I have the ability to give it to them, I will.”
Johnson gives Smiley $1,000, and Smiley tells him “this will help a lot.” The two then shake hands and embrace.
Johnson next meets a man who is in the middle of going out. He first tells Johnson that he doesn’t have time to talk.
Johnson then hands over an envelope containing $1,000 in cash. “It comes from people across the country who care about the people affected by (the train derailment),” Johnson explained.
“Well, I’ll just say it right now, I admire you,” the man says before giving Johnson a hug. “You paid my first month’s rent.”
Then Johnson meets a woman struggling to pay for her cleaning supplies. She fights back tears and tells Johnson, “Don’t make me cry,” as she hugs him.
One man initially declines the money, telling Johnson “there’s someone else who needs it more than me.” Johnson, however, convinces him to take the money and pay it forward because he knows the community better than Johnson.
Here are more responses from incredibly grateful people who received money from Johnson:
Really? No catches? I really appreciate it. “
We really appreciate as much as we can get there. God bless you to help good people.
oh god We have two daughters here and we struggle a lot. We really appreciate it.
I can’t believe it. Shall I hug you? You are angels.
thank you I will pay it forward.
You are serious. Wow, that’s really cool. We appreciate it.
Johnson concludes the video by talking about the beauty of helping your coworkers, and the $20,000 in ad revenue earned from his videos.
