Patton Oswalt helps an internet troll raise $35K for medical bills: 'We have to snuff out cynicism'

Patton Oswalt had an interesting way of handling an online critic — by helping raise more than $35,000 for the ailing man.

A political post the TV and film star put on Twitter led to some trolling by an Alabama man named Michael Beatty. But when Oswalt clicked on the man’s profile, he also saw that the commenter claims to be a veteran recovering from a hospitalization, for sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis, during which he said he “coded twice” and was in a coma. So instead of hitting back with an insult, Oswalt shared the man’s GoFundMe page with his 4.4 million followers — and the result has been pretty remarkable. Beatty had a goal of $5,000, and the campaign now has over $35,000.

Beatty has been most appreciative of Oswalt’s gesture. In one post, he wrote that the actor and comedian has “humbled me.” He went on to say it has led him to “take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring.”

When one of Oswalt’s fans asked why he bothered helping Beatty after reading some of the man’s political posts — specifically one mocking Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — Oswalt replied, “Because the cynical will always exploit the idealistic. Karl Rove used to mock evangelicals behind their backs ’cuz he just wanted their votes. So we have to snuff out cynicism with ACTION. I’m also guilty of cynicism but I’m trying. It’s a hard way but it’s doable.”

That call-out led to Beatty’s deleting his AOC post.

While the donations to Beatty’s fundraiser continue to grow (and Beatty becomes a bit of an internet star himself), Oswalt suggested that his followers find strangers in need to execute his “snuff out cynicism with ACTION” plan. He cited those affected by the partial government shutdown.

Meanwhile, Beatty is now Oswalt’s No. 1 fan.

As the GoFundMe donations flow in, Oswalt is mentioned by name in many of them. Many are also political — but in a good-natured way.

Oswalt has received no shortage of applause for this. Actress Jane Lynch wrote, “You’re a good man, Patton Oswalt” — and many agree.

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