Why Kim Kardashian is Facing Backlash Over SKIMS Donations for Coronavirus Relief

Kim Kardashian wants to support mothers and children in need during the Coronavirus, but fans are saying that her efforts have missed the mark. It seems the reality star wants people to buy first and donate second.

Fans of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star were left scratching their heads at a recent Instagram post for Kim's shapewear company, SKIMS. The post reads as if Kim will be donating one million dollars to families affected by COVID-19, but not from assets she already has. It seems that Kim will be restocking the SKIMS website, and the profit her company reaps from the subsequent influx of customers will be what is donated to Coronavirus relief.

The post, shown below, reads, "To support Mothers and Children in need during this time, I’m proud to announce @SKIMS is committed to donating $1M to families affected by COVID-19. On Monday, we will restock the collection we first launched with, and in doing so, be able to help bring relief to those affected by this pandemic. Shop the Solutionwear restock on March 30 at 9AM PST / 12PM EST." This came as a shock to some fans, as the ad seemingly implies that in order for Kim to donate that money, people first have to buy her product. In other words, it would not be her money that is donated, but from her customers.

People took to Reddit to discuss what they see as Kim's way to "guilt [them] into a purchase." User sarah5736 noted that, "it seems like she is committed to donating the money so long as we buy enough of her overpriced items", while another user fairygems noted Kim is, "trying to profit from the pandemic, or using it as the basis for a marketing gimmick." People had plenty of criticisms for the ad, which some saw as confusing and misleading.

One person even wondered if they were reading the ad correctly, saying, "It reads to me as if she’s donating one million regardless? I could be wrong, but she’s didn’t say a percentage of the sales will get donated, though the sales help the company be in a position to make the donation." Others criticized Kim for hypocrisy. User Xoxneesa called her out, saying, "Kim is preaching social distancing but how are all these factory workers going to ship all this stuff out while social distancing? She wouldn’t even get within 6 ft of her own mother but expects workers to work along side random people." One observer said that most people are worried about having a job and that purchasing "$60 unnecessary shapewear" will be the last thing on their minds.

Hopefully Kim will adjust her statements accordingly and fulfill her desire to help bring relief to people in need.