Here we go again…
On Wednesday, former “Alaskan Bush People” star Bear Brown launched another fundraiser– this time to buy himself a new phone.
No, seriously…
“I’m Bear Brown from Alaskan Bush People, and there are probably better GoFundMe’s [sic] to donate to, but if you want to help me out, I’m trying to get a refurbished iPhone 17,” he wrote in the description for his fundraiser.
“I work on social media and document me life. As well as go live on various platforms like TikTok and YouTube. I am a full-time creator on TikTok.”
“I’ve been having issues with my phone, after dropping it several times and being a little rough on it, the screen is broken and peeling off. The camera is messed up, the charger port is going out and so are the speakers, its battery drains fast. My phone quite literally is my job, I need to be able to take high quality videos and pictures. Any and all donations are appreciated. Thank you!”
In the past, fans of the show have criticized Bear (and other members of his family) for abusing platforms like GoFundMe and Empathy Funding despite claiming to make a lot of money. One day after posting the fundraiser, Bear took to Instagram to defend himself and speak to the haters directly.
“OK, because of all the hater people saying about a GoFundMe, they want a Captain GoFundMe, well here I am,” he said. “I just started a GoFundMe […] unfortunately, you cannot make [a fundraiser] for a cup of coffee, so I made it for an iPhone. Mine’s pretty busted up anyway, but no pressure guys.”
“There’s lots of other GoFundMes that are probably better to donate to than mine. If anyone wants to [donate], it is available, so say hello to Captain GoFundMe!”
“Thank you to all the haters who keep saying, ‘GoFundMe, GoFundMe, GoFundMe,’ even though I have literally never started one,” he continued his rant. “Now I have! First thing I’m going for is a phone; I might go for something else after that! We’ll see, ‘cause now you’re looking at Captain GoFundMe! Thank you again to all the haters. Keep in mind, I am a man of my word. If I say I’m going to do something, I’m darn well gonna do it.”
Bear went on to address the rumors that he had started fundraising pages in the past, claiming that he’s only ever done something like that once when his brother Matt Brown passed away from suicide earlier this year.
“I had never started a GoFundMe ever. AI says we started a GoFundMe when Dad passed away– wrong! The only thing that I did was a sympathy fund or something like that for Matt’s cremation. But now, you’re looking at Captain GoFundMe.”
In the comments on his post, Bear clarified that he doesn’t need the money from this fundraiser, but is only doing it to prove a point to his haters.
“I don’t need a job. I have one! Pays better than yours!” he wrote. “As I mentioned in the video, haters were mocking me saying to make a GoFundMe even though I never had! I said if they kept it up, I was going to, here we are.”
Bear is not the only Brown to try their luck with crowdfunding. Bear’s brother Noah Brown has been active on GoFundMe, with his most recent fundraiser aimed at supporting his custody battle with his estranged wife Rhain. The fundraiser, titled “Help a Dad Fight to Keep His Rights as a Father,” has raised $4,017 as of press time. (Click here to get the latest update on Noah and Rhain’s divorce proceedings.)
Bear’s GoFundMe has raised $659 of his $1,100 goal as of press time.
(Photos: Instagram, TikTok)
