50 Cent donates $100,000 to Autism Speaks after accusing airport cleaner of being ‘high’

The US rapper has donated the money after targetting a 19-year-old airport cleaner
Donating: 50 Cent has reached out to Autism Speaks
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty
Emma Powell5 May 2016
The Weekender

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50 Cent has donated $100,000 to an organisation that raises money for autism research after he poked fun at an autistic teenager.

The US rapper – real name Curtis Jackson III – posted an Instagram video in which he ridiculed airport cleaner Andrew Farrell, 19, and accused him of being “high” while working.

The Candy Shop singer has now donated thousands of dollars to Autism Speaks, which sponsors research into the condition.

In a statement, 50 Cent told Standard Online: "I want to turn this misunderstanding into an understanding. There are people that are ignored, mistreated and neglected with disabilities that need our support. Today, I have made a donation of $100,000 to this worthy cause through Autism Speaks.

“I am calling on my fellow musicians, actors, entertainers and all others who may not have fully considered this cause to join together to help in any way they can.”

The video – which has since been deleted from Instagram – showed the rapper taunting Mr Farrell and accusing him of being on drugs.

“This new generation is crazy. They’re crazy,” he said as he encountered Mr Farrell at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

“Look at him. What kind of s*** you think he took before he got to work today?

“He’s as high as a mother f***** right here in the airport. Pupils dilated and everything.”

50 Cent later apologised for the “unfortunate misunderstanding” after Mr Farrell’s father branded his actions “sickening”.

In a statement, the musician said: “While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, I am truly sorry for offending the young man.

“It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community, which is a source of great strength in America. I have apologized personally to him and his family.”

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