A Tennessee social media personality known online as “Chud the Builder” has raised more than $133,000 (and counting) from his supporters after being charged with attempted murder in a courthouse shooting that has ignited fierce debate across social media over racism, free speech, and political extremism. Moreover, due to the nature of the comments on his fundraiser page, some social media accounts have labeled Chud the Build’s supporters as “MAGA.”
Chud, also known as Dalton Eatherly, is a Clarksville, Tennessee, contractor who built an online following by posting racially inflammatory videos. He was arrested on Wednesday after a confrontation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse, which allegedly escalated into gunfire. According to the Associated Press, Eatherly now faces charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and employing a firearm during a dangerous felony.
Authorities say both Eatherly and another man suffered gunshot wounds during the altercation and were hospitalized in stable condition. Investigators have not publicly detailed what sparked the confrontation, though witnesses described the second man involved as Black or having a dark skin color.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Eatherly’s fundraising campaign exploded in popularity among supporters who framed him as a defender of free speech. His GiveSendGo page, titled “Help the Chud and his family,” claimed his contracting business had been destroyed by backlash over racist jokes and slur-filled livestreams. Chud the Builder has so far raised $133,367 USD in his fundraiser.
With that said, Eatherly admitted to using the N-word multiple times in the fundraiser, calling it “edgy, harmless humor,” while insisting critics were attempting to ruin his life over protected speech. He also claimed he had received violent threats targeting both himself and his 2-year-old son.
No shortage of support for Chud
Meanwhile, the donations keep on coming and quickly pour in from anonymous supporters, many leaving openly racist or extremist messages alongside their contributions. However, the donors also left some eyebrow-raising comments, with many leaving openly racist or extremist messages alongside their contributions.
“You’re fighting the good fight!” one donor wrote while giving $50. Another supporter said, “White Brotherhood,” while others praised Eatherly for promoting “white unity” and one contributor labeled him “An American hero.” One of the more extreme commenters also stated, “White racial consciousness is our races only chance at survival. Our enemies are inferior all we need to do is act. People like Chud are on the frontline.”
Hence, critics blasted both the fundraiser and the donors. Viral posts on X mocked supporters for financially backing a man accused of attempted murder, with some users arguing the campaign revealed a growing normalization of openly racist rhetoric online. Others pushed back against claims that the donations represented the broader MAGA movement, noting that some conservatives publicly distanced themselves from Eatherly and condemned his behavior.
