Fox News viewers raise over $500,000 for Talladega College marching band to go to Trump inauguration

Talladega College's marching band was able to raise over $500,000 to go to Donald Trump's inauguration from donations by Fox News viewers. Conservatives flocked to the band's GoFundMe page after school's president appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor" to beg for the money. Many gave not to support Talladega College but to spite those who didn't want the band to go. I hope they enjoy the money for now but hopefully someone will remind them "that all money ain't good money." George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Donations on a GoFundMe page set up to cover Talladega College's Marching Tornadoes band expenses for the Trump inaugural parade trip went over $500,000 this weekend.

The fund, which originally set a goal of $75,000, stood at $580,000 as of early Tuesday morning ( 01/17/2017).

More than $300,000 in donations poured in last Friday, after Talladega College President Billy Hawkins appeared on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" last Thursday night.

Approximately 3 million viewers tune into O'Reilly each night, making it one of the top rated cable shows on American television, according to Media Life Magazine. The donations continued through the weekend.

In a Friday news conference, Hawkins called the response "probably the single-greatest fundraising effort" for the school. Almost 10,000 donors have contributed on the GoFundMe page, many of the donations coming in relatively small amounts of $10, $20, $50 and $100.

Read more: Talladega College band donations top $500,000 after O'Reilly appearance

WHY TALLADEGA COLLEGE WILL REGRET MARCHING IN TRUMP'S INAUGURATION

Talladega College marching band will perform at Trump inauguration

The Talladega Marching Tornadoes will participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade, Talladega College President Billy Hawkins announced Thursday. The decision follows several days of controversy after the historically black college initially accepted an invitation to perform, with critics saying the move amounts to support for President-elect Donald Trump -- who made some comments during the presidential campaign that were widely viewed as disparaging to people of color and immigrants.[SOURCE: CNN]

Talladega College: We’ve not Committed to Trump Inauguration

Talladega College ignited controversy on Friday afternoon when its marching band was included on a list of 40 organizations purportedly slated to perform in President-elect’s Donald Trump’s Inaugural Parade on January 20. The list was released by Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC).

As of early Tuesday afternoon, however, Talladega officials said there has not been an official decision from the president’s office on whether Talladega’s Marching Tornadoes will be performing at the inauguration, contradicting the PIC’s assertions.

“From Trump’s inaugural committee, via their press release, we are listed as one of the schools in attendance, but the official word that I’m receiving from the president is that a decision has not been made as to whether we would attend or not,” a Talladega representative said. An email to the PIC was not returned.

Read more: Talladega College: We’ve not Committed to Trump Inauguration

HBCU marching band agrees to participate in Trump's inauguration, sparks controversy

The marching band of Alabama's oldest private, historically black liberal arts college has accepted an invitation to perform at President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural parade, organizers said.

Talladega College's band will march at Trump's inauguration as other historically black schools such as Howard University, which performed at President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, said they won't be marching in the Jan. 20 event.

"We were a bit horrified to hear of the invitation," said Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield, Alabama, a member of Talladega's Class of 1974.

"I don't want my alma mater to give the appearance of supporting him," Ferrill said of Trump on Monday. "Ignore, decline or whatever, but please don't send our band out in our name to do that."

The move has lit up Talladega College's social media sites with a sharp debate about the band's decision to participate in the parade. Some people voiced strong opposition, while others support the band's participation.

"After how black people were treated at Trump's rallies, you're going to go and shuck and jive down Pennsylvania Avenue? For what?" Seinya SamForay said in an interview. "What they did is a slap in the face to other black universities."

SamForay, of Chicago, was among dozens of people commenting on the school's social media sites.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Friday that the Talladega College Marching Tornadoes was among 40 groups, including high school bands and military organizations, scheduled to perform in the parade. Some members of the Marist College band in upstate New York, also scheduled to perform at the inauguration, say they won't participate, a school spokesman said Monday.

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