A hilarious video has emerged from the US of a man raising money for the homeless by encouraging people on the streets of New York to put money into a massive Donald Trump pinata.
The footage, filmed on October 31, shows people donating money into the figure, until the owner of the pinata visits Trump Tower where a Trump supporter rally is ongoing. No one donates there.
The filmer managed to raise around $75 USD in three hours at different locations around the city.
He ended up splitting it into three cups, and giving it to three different homeless people.
Americans are voting in the country's Presidential election today, with Trump representing the Republicans and Hillary Clinton the Democrats.
A few weeks ago I was on a business trip in Los Angeles and as I was on my way to the airport I passed a vendor selling a Donald Trump pinata. I knew I had to buy it, it looked amazing and hilarious, and I had never seen a Donald Trump pinata before. I also knew I had to take it back with me to NYC, where Donald Trump is from and lives. The pinata was huge, it is about 3.5 feet tall and it only cost $18. I had to buy it quickly, as I only had a couple hours before my flight was taking off.
As I walked through LAX airport, it was getting a lot of attention. I would have to get it screened through security and on board a Delta flight. The Donald Trump pinata actually made it through the TSA screening process and I was able to actually take it on the plane with me. The crew helped me stow it in closet of the first class cabin. Both the TSA and Delta crew all loved it.
The night I got back to NYC, the 3rd Presidential debate was on TV, and I noticed the pinata had an uncanny resemblance to Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is a very controversial figure, you either love him or hate him, and I was pondering what to do with my spontaneous purchase and cross-country journey of my Donald Trump pinata. Many people wanted me or asked me to smash the pinata, but I said to myself I need to figure out a way to use it for universal good, and wanted to do something with it that everyone would agree with.
I then had the idea to use it for charity, and would take it around the streets of NYC asking people to donate. Since Donald Trump is a billionaire, I thought to use him as a symbol for helping make rich the least fortunate of our society (i.e. the homeless). Also, since Donald Trump made some outrageous comments about Mexicans, I thought eventually when we would have to break and shake the pinata, that would be the perfect symbol for getting the money out of Donald Trump. Regardless of what your political views are, I thought everyone can take part and enjoy different aspects of the video (I wanted to make a video everyone can value and enjoy, even Donald Trump himself or even Hillary Clinton).
Last week we taped this video in crowded areas like Macy's in Herald Square, Times Square, 5th Avenue, and Trump Tower. I thought it would be a fun way to interact with New Yorkers, and wanted to get different people's reactions as I asked them to donate. I got many interesting and hilarious reactions. Halfway through the video you will see I took it to Trump Tower, and there was a huge protest there with many Donald Trump supporters. Half of the supporters loved the pinata and the other half hated it, and as people were either clapping at me or yelling at me, I just kept my mouth quiet (none of the Donald Trump supporters at Trump Tower donated).
The video was filmed primarily in the streets of NYC but the part when I'm taking the money out was filmed inside at at my office on 34th Street and 5th Avenue. I was able to raise about $75 within 3 hours, and then divided the money into three plastic cups and then handed it three different homeless people on the street. To me, the most important aspect of doing this was getting others engaged and inspired to give and participate in the act of charity in a fun and creative way.
