September 01, 2017•Update: September 01, 2017
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump plans to donate $1 million of his personal funds to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, the White House confirmed Thursday.
Trump has yet to decide which institutions he will give the money to, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters.
The White House's announcement is the latest such philanthropic contribution to support southeastern Texas as it recovers from five crippling days of unprecedented rainfall.
But the gift from the billionaire real estate mogul turned American president is far from the pinnacle donation.
Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander originally pledged $4 million before upping his donation to $10 million.
The Houston Astros Major League Baseball team has promised $4 million for recovery, and the Texas Rangers baseball team has pledged at last $1 million.
Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Sandra Bullock, who owns a home in Austin, have each given $1 million.
And American football superstar JJ Watt, who plays for the Houston Texans, has raised upwards of $10 million to assist.
The funding is direly needed. America's largest city is in for a recovery that will likely take years.
At least 38 deaths have been reported and as many as 40,000 homes may have been destroyed following torrential downpours and mass flooding caused by Harvey that made landfall last Friday.
Trump is expected to return to Texas on Saturday for his second visit since the Gulf region was battered by Harvey.
He will also go to Louisiana, which has been hit by the storm.
