There’s no doubt about it, coronavirus has us all going through some pretty tough times right now – people are losing jobs and businesses are being forced to close due to the fact people aren’t spending as much money right now.
Lady Gaga’s dad Joe Germanotta is in a similar situation right now with his New York City restaurant Joanne’s Trattoria.
Similar to some other businesses, Joe turned to crowdfunding to support the employees of his business, it sounds nice and everything, until you consider the fact he could ask his daughter, who is reportedly worth $300 million, could perhaps help him out.
In a since-deleted tweet, Joe shared the link to his GoFundMe, which was aiming to raise $50,000, writing, “I’m doing the best I can but had to close Joanne for the month. Our staff needs some help [financially]. Any help for our employees would be appreciated.”
It didn’t take long for the backlash to begin, with the general consensus being that if people have money to support people who are struggling, they’re not going to give money to someone with a crazy rich daughter.
According to E! News, the GoFundMe page read, “Our amazing staff is made up of primarily hourly workers who depend on our payroll, and who overwhelmingly live paycheck to paycheck.
“As our doors remain closed longer than anticipated, our staff is finding it increasingly difficult to finance the daily necessities to keep them healthy, like groceries and insurance costs—to say nothing of rent, utilities, and other recurring bills.”
“We’re asking our Joanne Trattoria community of neighbours, friends, family and fans: If you’ve enjoyed us in the past, have had a friendly encounter with someone on our incredible service staff, or even if you hope to enjoy us in the future, we’d be so appreciative if you would consider donating to our staff to help them through this difficult time.”
The page has also since been deleted, but people on Twitter are continuing to drag him for it.
Let me get this straight… Lady Gaga’s dad owns a restaurant in NYC, and bc of the virus, his restaurant had to close temporarily. He’s asking the public for donations to pay his employees, when his daughter is worth HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS? BRUH WHAT
— . (@blahblahblah187) March 28, 2020
lady gaga’s dad shut down his restaurant cause he was having financial problems when his daughter is worth almost 400 million pic.twitter.com/ekgRaG4Bec
— Batuhan (@imgagasholyfool) March 28, 2020
I just saw on TV that lady Gaga’s father is Starting a go fund me page to raise money to pay employees of his restaurant. He’s had to close the restaurant for a month because of the coronavirus. Shouldn’t Lady Gaga be the one to help his her dad out??
— nancy hedges (@nancyhedges8) March 28, 2020
Joe: Stef can you help out with costs?
— EatamaPousse (@EatamaPousse) March 28, 2020
Stefani: DAD! I'm busy enjoying my bath!
JOE: but honey I thought we could get your monsters to cover the costs, I already donated to the Trump campaign, so I can not swing 50K now.#ladygagawonthelp @yashar @MoRocca @NME #ladygaga pic.twitter.com/F98xkpW7Y1
Lady Gaga’s dad is trying to start a gofundme for 50K to support the staff of his restaurant ……….I-
— glitter boy (@ant_c816) March 28, 2020
Joe Germanotta asking for financial support when his daughter is worth $300+ million has me pic.twitter.com/2lLIIONYZf
— Stupid Luv (@Gagasgirl97) March 28, 2020
Perez Hilton also pointed out that Lady Gaga is a part owner of the restaurant, “Lady GaGa is worth hundreds of millions of dollars AND is part owner in her family’s restaurant. Yet her also wealthy father has just taken to Twitter to ask the public to help financially the workers they have stopped paying.”
Lady GaGa is worth hundreds of millions of dollars AND is part owner in her family’s restaurant.Yet her also wealthy father has just taken to Twitter to ask the public to help financially the workers they have stopped paying. What the fuck???? https://t.co/2K8MA05Crz #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/PqADshe8Be
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) March 28, 2020
Joe has meanwhile told Fox News that he didn’t authorise the tweet, “I don’t write my own tweets for the restaurant.”
“Everything has been deactivated. There was a small amount of money that was donated. If the crowd sourcing page is able to return the money then that will happen. If they cannot, then I will double the money and pay it out to the staff.”
E! News reports the GoFundMe page raised $541.