Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via AP
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach received backlash on Wednesday after he used the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to raise money for himself.
Following news of Kirk’s assassination during an event at Utah Valley University, Boteach took to social media to beg for donations to his own personal GoFundMe.
“Today, as we witnessed yet another attempt to silence pro-Israel voices, we are reminded of the constant threats facing Rabbi Shmuley,” wrote the former Republican politician and ally of Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “For years, he has stood boldly for Israel and the Jewish people—yet he has been physically assaulted in Vienna, Miami, Sydney, and even in Times Square.”
He continued, “The dangers are real, and they only continue to grow. To ensure his safety and his ability to continue this vital work, we urgently need to raise funds for cameras, fencing, and professional security personnel. Without these protections, Rabbi Shmuley and his family remain exposed to unacceptable risks.”
Boteach then urged his followers to “donate here,” linking to a GoFundMe page titled, “Help Us Protect Rabbi Shmuley and His Work.”
The rabbi’s post received backlash on social media, with Boteach receiving more than 2,000 replies against just 200 likes.
In the late 1990s, Boteach served as a spiritual adviser to Michael Jackson, before unsuccessfully running for Congress as a Republican and opening a sex toy store with his daughter.
During his run for president in 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was repeatedly photographed with Boteach, who served as a top ally to Kennedy’s campaign. In 2025, Boteach delivered a speech at the conservative CPAC conference in Poland.
