During the presidential debate, Donald Trump accused Kamala Harris of raising funds to bail out Minneapolis rioters in 2020—a claim she denied, though her actions from that time tell a different story.
During Tuesday's presidential debate, Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of raising funds to bail out criminals involved in the 2020 Minneapolis riots. Though Harris denied the claim on stage, her actions from June 2020 tell a different story.
Amid the nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death, Harris publicly urged her followers to donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF), which posts bail for those unable to afford it. "If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota," Harris wrote in a tweet that attracted widespread celebrity support. The fund ultimately raised $35 million, some of which was used to bail out individuals arrested during the unrest.
At the time, Minneapolis was facing escalating violence, with riots and property destruction overtaking parts of the city. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for hesitating to deploy the National Guard, which allowed the situation to spiral. Frey stated he had called Walz early in the evening, warning of the growing violence and requesting the Guard’s immediate intervention. Walz’s delayed response, Frey argued, left Minneapolis vulnerable to widespread destruction.
As tensions mounted and Minneapolis burned, Harris’s promotion of the Minnesota Freedom Fund drew sharp criticism, as it helped secure the release of individuals arrested during the riots. This resurfaced during the debate, with Trump accusing Harris of aiding criminals—an accusation she flatly denied, despite evidence to the contrary.
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