Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Tells Fox ‘Political Climate’ Hurting Appreciation for Cops After He Raises $1.5 Million for Slain NYPD Officer

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and Tunnels to Towers Chairman Frank Siller joined Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade on Thursday to discuss raising money for a slain NYPD officer.

Siller’s organization is paying off the mortgage of the family, a wife and young child, left behind by 31-year-old Jonathan Diller. The young officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens. A two day wake will be held beginning on Thursday afternoon. Donald Trump plans on attending. A funeral will be held Friday.

“I spoke to Officer Diller’s widow, Stephanie, and I let her know that the – the country is praying for her. New York most certainly is praying for her. And at the Tunnel To Towers Foundation is going to be there for her and that she’s not going to have to never worry about her mortgage again and that we’re going to make sure that we – that we pay it off,” Siller said.

Portnoy is selling “New York’s Finest” t-shirts and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Diller’s family. Barstool Sports is also raising funds directly for the family. Approximately $1.5 million has been raised in 48 hours.

“They’re going through so much. But just let her know that we’ll be there to support, exactly like Frank did. It’s a cause that resonates with a lot of people,” Portnoy said. “So, a decent amount of money. And it’s almost, I’m sure, same as Frank, when you talk money and mortgages, it’s a necessity, but it’s hollow. I mean that – that really doesn’t – you know, that doesn’t fill the gap of what just happened, but we will be there financially.”

Portnoy later argued the current “political climate” is making people less appreciative of just how dangerous the job of first responders is.

“I think that’s something a lot of people have – don’t appreciate lately, in the political climate and everything that’s going on,” he said. “But, you know, these servicemen, first responders, all of it, you never know. You never know what’s going to happen when you leave the door, and you got to be — appreciate what they’re doing because stories like this really drive home, this isn’t, you know — anything can happen any day. And the risk they take can’t be understated.”

Watch above via Fox News.

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