After New York Times chief White House correspondent and MSNBC political analyst Peter Baker ripped President Trump for his efforts to clean up crime in Washington, D.C., Grabien founder Tom Elliott spearheaded an effort to raise funds challenging Baker to walk the streets of D.C. at night — unarmed.

On Monday, Baker posted the following statements on X: “Citing a nonexistent crime crisis, Trump plans to take over the Washington DC police and put troops in the streets of the nation’s capital. Contrary to his claims, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low. The worst single-day crime spree in modern Washington history, of course, took place on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump issued no order to the National Guard to intervene — Mike Pence did — and later pardoned the perpetrators. Trump himself has been convicted of 34 felonies and is the first criminal elected president.”

Citing a nonexistent crime crisis, Trump plans to take over the Washington DC police and put troops in the streets of the nation’s capital. Contrary to his claims, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low. @katierogers @campbellnyt @ChrisCameronNYT https://t.co/w101allO91

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) August 11, 2025

The worst single-day crime spree in modern Washington history, of course, took place on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump issued no order to the National Guard to intervene — Mike Pence did — and later pardoned the perpetrators.

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) August 11, 2025

Trump himself has been convicted of 34 felonies and is the first criminal elected president.

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) August 11, 2025

Elliott fired back on X, “I’ll personally pledge $300 for Peter to livestream himself walking the following route, unarmed, after 9 PM on any weekend night.”

I’ll personally pledge $300 for Peter to livestream himself walking the following route, unarmed, after 9 PM on any weekend night https://t.co/vVNA9vK9MA pic.twitter.com/Cdy8q3bgGk

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 12, 2025

An hour later, he updated the challenge, noting, “Hi @peterbakernyt , we’re already up to more than a thousand dollars to a charity of your choice!”

Hi @peterbakernyt, we’re already up to more than a thousand dollars to a charity of your choice! https://t.co/lzx8wzo7rW

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 12, 2025

Elliott created a GoFundMe page for the effort, writing:

We’re inviting New York Times reporter Peter Baker — who assures us the streets are safer than Disneyland — to take a scenic, unarmed stroll through the nation’s capital after 9 PM on a weekend night. The route? A lovingly curated “Trail of Fun” (see map) weaving through some of DC’s most “charming” neighborhoods. No security detail. No pepper spray. Just pure, unfiltered utopia.

But wait, there’s more! I’ll double my pledge if Peter sends his wife in his place. Because what better way to showcase safety than letting your loved ones experience it first-hand?

Elliott added more incentives:

I’ve personally pledged $300 to kick things off, and many others have already offered to join in. The more we raise, the more irresistible this opportunity becomes:

$500 — Peter gets a GoPro for crystal-clear night footage.

$1,000 — Matching “D.C.: Safest Streets in America” T-shirts for him and his cameraman.

$2,500 — We’ll buy him some gold chains so he walks in style

$5,000+ — The walk expands to two nights: one weekend night and one weeknight (for “scientific comparison”).

Every single dollar will be donated to the charity of Peter’s choice — so not only will this prove the streets are perfectly safe, it will also support a good cause. If Peter declines, we’ll select another high-profile believer in the “no crime crisis” narrative to take his place.

Utah GOP senator Mike Lee chimed in:

I triple-dog dare you to take on this challenge https://t.co/BEcdbibrkf

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 12, 2025