GoFundMe page to pay for Trump's US, Mexico border wall has raised over $11 million
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A GoFundMe page started to provide funding for President Donald Trump's border wall has generated over $11 million in donations since it began four days ago.
The page "We The People Will Fund The Wall" was created by U.S. Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient Brian Kolfage.
According to the Air Force, Kolfage was severely injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, losing his legs and right arm in a rocket attack.
"As a veteran who has given so much, 3 limbs, I feel deeply invested to this nation to ensure future generations have everything we have today. Too many Americans have been murdered by illegal aliens and too many illegals are taking advantage of the United States taxpayers with no means of ever contributing to our society," wrote Kolfage on the GoFundMe page.
On Friday, President Donald Trump said that if Senate Democrats don't go along with his demand for border wall money, "there will be a shutdown that will last for a very long time."
He exhorted the Senate's Republican leader to corral enough Democratic votes to send a House-passed plan to the White House, even though the measure is almost certain to be rejected in the Senate.
"Senator Mitch McConnell should fight for the Wall and Border Security as hard as he fought for anything. He will need Democrat votes, but as shown in the House, good things happen. If enough Dems don't vote, it will be a Democrat Shutdown!" he tweeted.
Trump also encouraged McConnell, R-Ky., to change the Senate's rules in order to pass the spending bill, lowering the threshold for ending debate on legislation from 60 votes to 51, as it currently stands for judicial appointments.
"Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done! Our Country is counting on you!," Trump tweeted, though McConnell has previously resisted the rules change.
The Senate has been called back into session to consider a package approved by House Republicans late Thursday that includes the $5.7 billion Trump wants for the border with Mexico.
Kolfage said his GoFundMe page has a goal of $1 billion. He added that the goal is the maximum that GoFundMe allows, but he is working to get that raised.
"If the 63 million people who voted for Trump each pledge $80, we can build the wall. That equates to roughly 5 Billion Dollars, even if we get half, that's half the wall. We can do this," wrote Kolfage.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.