Rapper French Montana has stepped up to help a New York City taxi driver whose cab was destroyed during the Knicks' championship celebration. Appearing on 'CBS Mornings' Thursday, French revealed he gave $75,000 to 59-year-old Noureddine Bitat, an Algerian immigrant whose taxi was vandalized by rioting fans.
The donation covers at least six months of living expenses while Bitat figures out his next steps. French said the driver was so traumatized that he no longer wants to drive a taxi.
The story hit home for French, whose own father drove a cab after immigrating to the U.S. He was moved by viral footage of Bitat watching helplessly as his livelihood was destroyed.
French sent the video to influencer Zachery Dereniowski, who partnered with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance to launch a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser has already surpassed its $75,000 goal, with donations continuing to pour in.