When a viral fairy tale slams against reality

Today on “Post Reports,” a viral fundraiser for an unhoused man triggers backlash online. And, how platforms like GoFundMe are increasingly replacing America’s social safety net. 

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Earlier this year, 21-year-old Sanai Graden – a college student from California – was on her way to a grocery store in D.C. when an unhoused man named Alonzo called out to her asking for tea. 

“I’m walking to Trader Joe’s,” she said to him. “You want to walk with me? We can stop at Starbucks.”

It was the beginning of a daylong journey for the two of them, which Graden recorded and posted to TikTok, imploring her followers to donate to Alonzo. Within days her video had racked up millions of views and the GoFundMe she set up for him had raised more than $400,000.

And then, the fairy tale slammed into reality. 

Today on “Post Reports,” reporter Kyle Swenson talks about Graden’s saga – how even the best intentions can have unexpected complications online, and the perils of fundraising on platforms like TikTok and GoFundMe. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed and edited by Ted Muldoon.

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